A sworn written statement to obtain a warrant is known as:

A sworn written statement to obtain a warrant is known as:

• A. Affidavit
• B. Affirmation
• C. Declaration
• D. Testimony

Answer: (A)

An affidavit is a sworn written statement of facts used to obtain a warrant. It is made under oath before a magistrate or judge and lays out the specific facts that establish probable cause for the warrant. Because it is sworn, the person writing it is asserting the truth of the statements under penalty of perjury, which helps ensure accuracy and accountability. Affirmation is similar in that it can be sworn or affirmed, but the term most commonly used for the document submitted to justify a warrant is affidavit. A declaration is a formal statement of facts but does not inherently carry the oath or affirmation required for obtaining a warrant. Testimony refers to spoken evidence given in court under oath, not the written factual basis presented to a judge to obtain a warrant.

An affidavit is a sworn written statement of facts used to obtain a warrant. It is made under oath before a magistrate or judge and lays out the specific facts that establish probable cause for the warrant. Because it is sworn, the person writing it is asserting the truth of the statements under penalty of perjury, which helps ensure accuracy and accountability.

Affirmation is similar in that it can be sworn or affirmed, but the term most commonly used for the document submitted to justify a warrant is affidavit. A declaration is a formal statement of facts but does not inherently carry the oath or affirmation required for obtaining a warrant. Testimony refers to spoken evidence given in court under oath, not the written factual basis presented to a judge to obtain a warrant.