What is an anticipatory search warrant?

• A. A warrant issued after a crime occurs.
• B. A general warrant to search any time.
• C. Probable cause to believe evidence will be found at a place in the future.
• D. A warrant based on mere suspicion.

Answer: (C)

An anticipatory search warrant is issued based on probable cause that evidence will be located at a specific place in the future, and the warrant only becomes executable when a triggering event actually happens. The idea is to authorize the search in advance, but tie it to a future moment when the evidence is expected to be present, rather than after a crime has already occurred or merely on suspicion. For example, if investigators expect a drug shipment to arrive and be opened at a known location, they can obtain a warrant that becomes valid when that shipment is delivered and opened. This keeps the search tied to a concrete future event and to the belief that the evidence will be at that place when the event occurs.