Who may issue a warrant?

• A. The Mayor
• B. A Magistrate
• C. A City Clerk
• D. The Sheriff

Answer: (B)

Warrants are court orders that authorize police to conduct searches or make arrests, and they must come from a judicial authority that can review probable cause. A magistrate serves in that role, assessing sworn facts and determining whether there is sufficient probable cause to issue the warrant. The Mayor and City Clerk do not have judicial authority, and while a Sheriff enforces the law, they do not unilaterally issue warrants—they typically must obtain one issued by a magistrate or judge. That neutral judicial review is what makes a magistrate the correct issuer.