Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-110
§3102 Authority to Issue Search Warrant—(rule)
Title 18 › PART II — CRIMINAL PROCEDURE › CHAPTER 205 — SEARCHES AND SEIZURES › § 3102
Summary
A search warrant can be signed by a judge in a federal, state, or territorial court of record, by a U.S. magistrate judge, or by any other judicial officer who is legally allowed to sign search warrants. The warrant can be given to any federal officer to carry out.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §3102
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1968—Pub. L. 90–578 substituted “magistrates” for “Commissioners”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
“U.S. magistrate judges” substituted for “U.S. magistrates” in text pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date
of 1968 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 90–578 effective Oct. 17, 1968, except when a later
Effective Date
is applicable, which is the earlier of date when implementation of amendment by appointment of magistrates [now United States magistrate judges] and assumption of office takes place or third anniversary of enactment of Pub. L. 90–578 on Oct. 17, 1968, see section 403 of Pub. L. 90–578, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 3102
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110