Which instrument is used specifically to arrest a person?

• A. Exigent Circumstances
• B. Arrest Warrant (AW)
• C. Notice Requirement
• D. Protective Sweep

Answer: (B)

An arrest warrant is the formal court order that authorizes law enforcement to take a named individual into custody. Issued after probable cause is shown, it names the person, the offense, and often specifies where and when the arrest may occur. This makes the warrant the tool specifically designed to authorize and regulate the act of arrest, providing judicial oversight and helping protect due process rights.

Exigent circumstances describe situations where officers may arrest or act without a warrant due to immediate danger or risk, not a formal instrument for arrest. A protective sweep is a safety-related search conducted during an entry, not an arrest document. Notice requirements relate to informing or serving legal actions, not the act of arrest itself.