LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
A quick definition of John Doe warrant:
A
John Doe warrant is a type of warrant that allows law
enforcement to arrest someone whose name is unknown. It may be used for a person known by sight but not by name. Other types of warrants include arrest warrants, search warrants, and
extradition warrants. A warrant is a legal document that authorizes someone to do something, like make an arrest or conduct a search. It is important that warrants are issued only on
probable cause and meet the
Fourth Amendment's specificity requirements. A warrantee is a person who receives a
written warranty.
A more thorough explanation:
A John Doe warrant is a type of warrant for the arrest of a person whose name is unknown. It may be issued for a person known by sight but not by name. This type of warrant is permitted in a few states, but not in federal practice.
For example, if a witness saw a person commit a crime but did not know their name, a John Doe warrant could be issued for their arrest. The warrant would describe the person's physical appearance and any other identifying information available.
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