A warrant is defective on its face because the judge never signed.

A warrant is defective on its face because the judge never signed.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Affidavit lied
• D. Not relevant

Answer: (A)

Having proper judicial authorization is essential for a warrant. A warrant must be issued (and signed) by a judge to show the officers have legal authority to search or seize. When the judge never signs, the warrant lacks the required authority on its face, so it is facially defective. That means, on its face, the document is invalid for authorizing the search, regardless of what the accompanying affidavit says. The other options don’t fit because they don’t address the missing signature, which is the key defect making the warrant invalid from the start.

Having proper judicial authorization is essential for a warrant. A warrant must be issued (and signed) by a judge to show the officers have legal authority to search or seize. When the judge never signs, the warrant lacks the required authority on its face, so it is facially defective. That means, on its face, the document is invalid for authorizing the search, regardless of what the accompanying affidavit says. The other options don’t fit because they don’t address the missing signature, which is the key defect making the warrant invalid from the start.