For an anticipatory warrant, what must the affidavit inform the magistrate about?

• A. Only that contraband exists generally.
• B. The time window and the evidence's expected arrival, and the basis for knowledge.
• C. The name of the informant only.
• D. A standard warrant with no future event.

Answer: (B)

Anticipatory warrants hinge on a future event and require the affidavit to give the magistrate enough facts to evaluate that event and what will follow. Specifically, it must describe the time window in which the triggering event is expected to occur, what evidence or contraband is expected to be found at the location once that event happens, and the basis for the knowledge supporting those claims (such as information from a reliable informant or corroborating observations). This combination lets the magistrate assess both that the future condition is likely to occur and that, when it does, the search is likely to reveal the specified items. Simply stating general contraband or naming an informant without tying it to a concrete future event and a basis for the claim wouldn’t meet the standard.