What is an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant is a formal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. This legal instrument is based on evidence presented, showing probable cause that the individual has committed a crime. The issuance of an arrest warrant ensures that an arrest is conducted lawfully and that the rights of the individual are protected. Law enforcement agencies rely on this document to ensure that they have the judicial backing to take someone into custody, thereby maintaining the integrity of the legal process.

The other options do not correctly represent the nature of an arrest warrant. A verbal command from a police officer does not carry the same legal weight as a warrant and may not provide the necessary judicial oversight. A notification under investigation does not imply any authority to detain someone and is merely a status of inquiry rather than a directive. Lastly, a civil order for temporary detainment pertains to civil matters and does not involve the criminal justice system in the same way an arrest warrant does. Thus, the correct understanding of an arrest warrant is that it is a judicial document specifically aimed at authorizing an individual's arrest for criminal offenses.