Search warrant requirements in washington state

What information that must be contained in a search warrant is dictated by the Fourth Amendment and Article 1, section 7 of the Washington State Constitution (the Washington State Constitution provides additional protection above and beyond the Fourth Amendment). The court rules and statute listed below do not change or define what is sufficient, but rather operate to comply with the Constitutional requirements. The simple answer is that the warrant must be supported by probable cause and describe the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized with particularity. The caseslaw in this area is immense and a warrant's validity is very fact specific. Thus, as stated by one of the previous answers, search warrants are complicated things. It is impossible to answer your question without access to the warrant, supporting documents and all other evidence.

A search warrant authorizes police to conduct a search of a specific place, such as your home. In order for a judicial officer to issue a warrant, there must be a probable cause affidavit, detailing the evidence the police already have showing it's likely that items connected to criminal activity will be found in the place to be searched. A specific address is important, but not necessary if the place to be searched is described with sufficient specificity so the police know where to go and search.

The search warrant must be supported by probable cause to believe that evidence of a crime might be present at the location. It must be supported by an affidavit detailing the reasons for this. It must be signed by a judge. It must state specifically what the officers are searching for and it must state with specificity where the officers are searching. Search warrants are complex areas and you should get an attorney immediately if you have been the subject of one.