Search Warrant
a writ issued by a justice or court directing a constable or other officer of the law to search certain premises for stolen goods, gambling devices, or other questionable property. A search warrant may be issued only on the testimony of some apparently responsible person under oath that he has good reason to believe that the property may be found on the premises. The United States Constitution provides that the warrant shall describe accurately the place to be searched and the articles to be seized. An officer having a warrant for the arrest of a criminal may enter premises where he believes the fugitive to be. A warrant to search one building gives no warrant to enter another. Under a despotic government, officers feel at liberty to search any home at any time, but in free countries a man's house is his castle. Even the king of England has no authority to enter the home of the humblest peasant without permission. Both courtesy and law require that a visitor "knock at the door and obtain permission before entering."