Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Certification (CAMS) Practice Exam

What does an Arrest Warrant authorize?

1. Legal search of property for financial records

2. Detention of a person for questioning

3. Seizure of financial assets

4. Court order for a financial audit

The correct answer is: Detention of a person for questioning

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to detain a specific individual. The primary function of an arrest warrant is to facilitate the apprehension of a person suspected of having committed a crime. When law enforcement officers have an arrest warrant, they are permitted to take that individual into custody, which may involve questioning them about their alleged criminal activities. In the context of this question, the correct answer emphasizes that the primary purpose of an arrest warrant is to allow for the detention of a person, usually for the purpose of questioning or for further legal processes related to criminal charges. The other options involve different legal actions that are not directly related to the primary function of an arrest warrant. For instance, while a legal search of property for financial records may be conducted under different types of legal documents (such as a search warrant), it is not what an arrest warrant is designed to do. The seizure of financial assets typically requires different legal procedures, such as a court order. Lastly, a court order for a financial audit is also separate from the intent of an arrest warrant, as it pertains to financial investigations rather than criminal apprehension.