Electronic Warrants and Electronic Warrant Approvals

With a simple click, an officer can submit a warrant request that is automatically sent to the appropriate judge. The judge reviews the eWarrant and can respond to it from anywhere without having to be in the office.

A police officer can also log on to the system in their squad car and use a secure video conference link to talk with the judge and fill in details on the eWarrant. This helps the officer avoid having to disclose their location in person or even go to the courthouse and can help prevent the suspect from being tipped off and fleeing before the search is conducted.

For example, if the officer believes that a driver is driving under the influence, the judge can authorize an immediate blood test. The entire process takes just 18 minutes, versus the hours that it previously took to get the warrant approved and signed.

In addition, the system provides more predictability and transparency for both officers and judges. It also reduces paperwork for clerks and frees up their time to do higher value work. The entire warrant issuance process is monitored, controlled, and transparent from start to finish.

The system can also help police departments meet their mandates under federal rules, which require officers to return a copy of a search warrant to the judge after executing it (see Rule 41(e)(2)). This will allow the judge to confirm that they received the returned copy and review the seized evidence. electronic warrants