What is an arrest warrant?

What is an Arrest Warrant?

A Georgia arrest warrant authorizes police officers to arrest the person named in the warrant. Police do not need a warrant to arrest you if they personally witness you do something wrong. However, for incidents that officers do not witness, they must get a warrant from a judge. A judge will issue a warrant if there seems to be probable cause that an individual committed an offense. There must be evidence or witness information sworn under oath. When someone swears under oath that they saw a person commit a crime at a specific time and place, that is called an affidavit. The judge needs an affidavit to be able to create a warrant. Sometimes a police officer will have to submit an affidavit if there is only police-gathered evidence of the crime.