Policing in Modern Society Exam 1 Practice Test

A warrant is issued when a judge has probable cause, and that probable cause is shown through a written statement made under oath. The document that captures the officer’s facts and assertions is called an affidavit. Its power comes from the swearing of facts—that those statements are true to the best of the officer’s knowledge—and from presenting specific details that establish probable cause for the search or seizure.

A declaration is simply a statement of facts and may not always be sworn or carry the same evidentiary weight as an affidavit used to support a warrant. An oath is the act of swearing to the truth, which is part of an affidavit but not the document itself. A deposition is sworn testimony given outside of court, typically later in litigation, not the written statement used to obtain a warrant.