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Simple English definitions for legal terms
blanket search warrant
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A quick definition of blanket search warrant:
A blanket search warrant is a permission slip from a judge that lets the police search many places for evidence without saying exactly what they are looking for. This is not allowed by the Constitution, which says that warrants must describe the place to be searched and the things to be taken. Blanket search warrants are not fair and any evidence found with them cannot be used in court.
A more thorough explanation:
A blanket search warrant is a type of warrant that allows the police to search multiple areas for evidence without specifying exactly what they are looking for. This means that they can seize anything they find, even if it is not related to the crime they are investigating.
However, the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires that warrants be based on probable cause and describe the place to be searched and the things to be seized. Blanket search warrants violate this requirement and are therefore unconstitutional.
For example, if the police obtain a blanket search warrant for a person's entire house, they can search every room and seize any item they find, even if it is not related to the crime they are investigating. This could include personal items such as diaries, letters, or photographs that have nothing to do with the crime.
Another example would be if the police obtain a blanket search warrant for an entire neighborhood. They could search every house and seize any item they find, even if it is not related to the crime they are investigating. This would be a violation of the Fourth Amendment and would not be allowed.