A blanket search warrant is a type of search warrant issued by a court that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a particular location or seize certain items without specifying the exact items or areas to be searched. Unlike a specific search warrant, which identifies the particular place to be searched and the items to be seized, a blanket search warrant provides broader authority to search multiple locations or seize various items within a specified scope or category.
Blanket search warrants are typically used in situations where law enforcement officers believe that evidence of criminal activity may be found across multiple locations or that specific items relevant to an investigation may be located in various places. For example, a blanket search warrant might authorise officers to search all properties owned by a particular individual or all vehicles belonging to a certain organisation.
While blanket search warrants can expedite investigations and provide flexibility for law enforcement, they also raise concerns about the potential for overbroad searches and violations of individuals’ rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. Courts may scrutinise blanket search warrants to ensure that they are sufficiently specific and narrowly tailored to the circumstances of the investigation, and that they comply with legal requirements and constitutional safeguards.
An unconstitutionally broad authorisation from a judge that allows the police to search multiple areas for evidence without specifying exactly what they are looking for.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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