What is a "warrant" in a legal context?

In the legal context, a "warrant" specifically refers to a written order that authorizes law enforcement to take a specific action, most commonly to arrest a person. This document is issued by a judge or magistrate and serves as a formal declaration that there is sufficient evidence to justify the arrest of an individual.

The issuance of a warrant protects citizens' rights by ensuring that law enforcement has probable cause before taking action, thus preventing arbitrary arrests. When police execute a warrant, they are acting under the authority granted by the court, which signifies that the legal system has found grounds for the arrest.

The other options do not accurately define a warrant. A written agreement between parties is more likely to refer to a contract, while a notification of court proceedings typically relates to a case's details shared with the parties involved. A summons to appear in court is a document compelling an individual to attend court proceedings but does not share the same function or purpose as a warrant, which directly involves the law enforcement action of arresting an individual based on judicial approval.