Question

You and your partner, Officer Petrovic, are on the “Warrant Squad” serving outstanding warrants for open felony cases. You’re en route to the last known address of Andre Dupont, who has an outstanding felony warrant concerning his indictment on non-violent drug charges. Mr. Dupont has no felony convictions for violent crimes, but he has several drug-related felony convictions and a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction on his record.

You arrive at the location provided on the warrant and identify the man standing in the fenced-in yard as Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson tells you that Andre Dupont was recently evicted from the home and is now staying at his brother’s residence a few blocks away. You and your partner travel to the address provided by Mr. Johnson and see Andre Dupont’s vehicle parked outside. You determine that it is likely that he is currently within the home.

Let’s review two concepts before you make a decision about this scene.

Which type of arrest warrant is issued when the person to be arrested is well-described in the warrant, but not identified by name?

Answer 1

That is called a "John Doe" warrant (also called an arrest warrant by description or a warrant based on a physical description). It names the person by identifying features rather than by a legal name.