What does the Fourth Amendment require regarding the description in a warrant?

• A. The warrant must describe the place to be searched and the things to be seized with particularity.
• B. The warrant can be general as long as there is probable cause.
• C. The warrant only needs to name the city.
• D. The warrant must be signed by the police chief.

Answer: (A)

Particularity in a search warrant means the description must be precise. The Fourth Amendment requires the warrant to specify the exact place to be searched and the specific items to be seized, so officers know exactly what to look for and what to seize. This limits the intrusion to what is described and prevents a general rummage through a home or business. A proper warrant would name the room or area to be searched and list or describe the items sought (for example, ledgers and invoices in the desk in the study). If the description is vague or overly broad, the warrant fails the requirement and cannot authorize the search. General searches or broad location descriptions violate the rule, which is why the correct idea is that the warrant must describe the place to be searched and the things to be seized with particularity.