Warrant

In its broadest sense, "a writing from a competent authority, in pursuance of law, directing the doing of an act, and addressed to an officer or person competent to do the act, and affording him protection from damage if he does it."

71 N. Y. 376.

In practice, it is largely confined to process of a criminal or quasi criminal nature, the more important being: (1) Warrant of arrest, which is a writ issued by a justice of the peace or other authorized officer, directed to a constable or other proper person, requiring him to arrest a person therein named, charged with committing some offense, and to bring him before that or some other justice of the peace. (2) Bench warrant, which is a process granted by a court, authorizing a proper officer to apprehend and bring before it some one charged with some contempt, crime, or misdemeanor. (3) Search warrant, which is a process issued by a competent court or officer, authorizing an officer therein named or described to examine a house or other place for the purpose of finding illicit or contraband goods or goods which it is alleged have been stolen.

Municipal Warrants

The name "warrant" is also given to a class of municipal ity upon the treasurer thereof.

19 Wall. (U. S.) 468.