During an investigation, police officers may need to obtain a search warrant. The Fourth Amendment of 
the Constitution requires that police officers have probable cause before they search a person’s home, their 
clothing, car, or other property, with some exceptions explored later on. In order to ensure due process, 
searches usually require a search warrant, issued by a “neutral and detached” judge. Arrests also require 
probable cause and often occur after police have gotten an arrest warrant from a judge. Depending on the 
specific facts of the case, the first step may be an arrest. 
2 As stated above, if they catch a person in the 
commission of a crime, they will arrest first and investigate later. 
Police on Standby 
Police on Standby 
 
Courts 
The next phase of the criminal justice system is the courts. The courts may consist of prosecutors, defense 
attorneys, judges, and a reasonable jury of one’s peers. The primary role of the courts is to determine 
whether an offender should be charged with a crime and if so, what charges should exist. The officers will 
forward over information to the district attorneys for review, and the district attorney will determine what 
2. United States Department of Justice. (N.D.). Investigation. https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/investigation 
ALISON S. BURKE, DAVID CARTER, BRIAN FEDOREK, TIFFANY MOREY, LORE RUTZ-BURRI, AND SHANELL
SANCHEZ
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