If the offense is felony, can a citizen get an arrest warrant from the magistrate?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with police
• D. Only with a judge

Answer: (B)

Warrants are issued by a magistrate or judge based on probable cause presented by law enforcement or a prosecutor. A private citizen does not have the authority to obtain or request an arrest warrant from a magistrate on their own. Even in felony situations, the proper path is through law enforcement or the prosecutor who files the request; a citizen can provide information or, if they witness a crime, make a private arrest and then bring the person to the magistrate, but they do not issue the warrant themselves.