What is the primary purpose of an arrest warrant?

The primary purpose of an arrest warrant is to provide legal authority for law enforcement to take a specific individual into custody. It is a formal document issued by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause that a person has committed a crime. This ensures that law enforcement actions are conducted within the bounds of the law, safeguarding individual rights against arbitrary arrests.

An arrest warrant includes essential details, such as the individual's name, the charges against them, and the jurisdiction in which the warrant is valid. This process is a vital aspect of the legal system, as it serves to uphold the principles of due process and protects citizens from unlawful detention.

The other options, while related to the criminal justice system, do not encapsulate the primary function of an arrest warrant. Notifications for legal trials pertain to court proceedings rather than the authority to arrest. Requests for police backup may occur during the execution of an arrest but do not define the warrant's role. Lastly, documents allowing searches of private property are considered search warrants, which serve a different purpose entirely.