Which statement about search warrants is true?

Which statement about search warrants is true?

• A. Only district court judges may issue search warrants.
• B. Clerks may issue search warrants.
• C. Municipal judges, acting as magistrates, may issue search warrants.
• D. Judges are never involved in issuing warrants.

Answer: (C)

Search warrants are issued by a magistrate—an official authorized to determine probable cause and sign the warrant. In Texas, municipal judges can serve as magistrates in their official capacity, and when doing so they have the authority to issue a search warrant within their jurisdiction. Clerks don’t issue warrants themselves; they handle the paperwork after a magistrate signs. Limiting issuance to district court judges isn’t accurate, and saying judges are never involved contradicts how magistrates operate. So, the true statement is that municipal judges acting as magistrates may issue search warrants.

Search warrants are issued by a magistrate—an official authorized to determine probable cause and sign the warrant. In Texas, municipal judges can serve as magistrates in their official capacity, and when doing so they have the authority to issue a search warrant within their jurisdiction. Clerks don’t issue warrants themselves; they handle the paperwork after a magistrate signs. Limiting issuance to district court judges isn’t accurate, and saying judges are never involved contradicts how magistrates operate. So, the true statement is that municipal judges acting as magistrates may issue search warrants.