Magistrate can only issue arrest warrants to non-sworn law enforcement citizens for ________ offenses?

• A. Misdemeanors
• B. Felonies
• C. Traffic
• D. Juvenile

Answer: (A)

The important idea is how far a magistrate’s warrant authority extends when it comes to who can be the submitting party and for what offenses. Non-sworn law enforcement citizens—people who are not trained, sworn police officers—can have arrest warrants issued by a magistrate only for misdemeanors. This keeps enforcement accessible for less serious offenses while still under magistrate supervision, balancing public safety with proper oversight. For felonies, the process relies on sworn officers to present probable cause and obtain warrants, reflecting the higher stakes and need for formal credentials. Traffic offenses and juvenile matters follow separate procedures with their own rules, which is why they aren’t the category described.