SEARCH-WARRANT, in Law, a kind of general warrant iffued by justices of peace or magistrates of towns for searching all fufpected places for stolen goods. In Scotland this was often done formerly; and in fome Englifh law books there are precedents requiring the confable to fearch all fuch fufpected places as he and the party complaining fhall think convenient; but fuch practice is condemned by Lord Hale, Mr Hawkins, and the beft authorities both among the Englifh and Scotch lawyers. However, in cafe of a complaint, and oath made of goods ftofen, and that the party fufpects that thofe goods are in a particular houfe, and shows the caufe of fuch fuspicion, the justice may grant a warrant to fearch not only that houfe but other fufpected places; and to attach the goods, and the party in whose custody they are found, and bring them before him or fome other justice, to give an account how he came by them, and to abide fuch order as to law fhall appertain; which warrant should be directed to the constable or other public officer, who may enter a suspected house and make search.