Which warrant may court officers apply for but not execute?

• A. Arrest warrant
• B. Search warrant
• C. Bench warrant
• D. Writ of mandamus

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who requests a warrant versus who carries out the action it authorizes. A search warrant is the type of order that must be issued by a judge based on probable cause, authorizing a search of premises for evidence. The request for that warrant is typically made to the court by a law enforcement officer, but the actual search is performed by sworn officers, not by court officers themselves. So, court officers may initiate the process by applying for a search warrant, but they do not execute the search. Warrant types that involve arrest or court-directed actions are handled differently, and a writ of mandamus isn’t a warrant at all.