Search Warrants, Search and Seizure for Writers
4 Week Course, October 8-November 2, 2018
Place: Facebook Group
Price: TRRW Members – $15
RWA Members – $25
Non-RWA Members – $35
Instructor: Mary Garcia
Workshop Description:
Have you wondered what exactly goes into a search warrant? Getting a search warrant signed by a judge is not as easy as television makes it seem. There is plenty of investigation and writing that happens before law enforcement gets to that point.
In this class you will learn the basics of what a search warrant is, what it takes to get a judge to approve it, how it is served, legal terminology, legal considerations, and other considerations for law enforcement. You will read search warrants served for various crimes. You will be given a mock crime report and scene. You will view photos and other items to write your own basic search warrant.
Week One
Basic definitions for law enforcement relating to searches, seizures and warrants
Probable Cause vs. reasonable suspicion
Constitutional Amendments relating to searches, seizures, warrants
Search Warrant –Affidavit
Warrant – Technical requirements
Mock Crime Introduced (can also use Work in Progress)
Week 2
Describing the place to be searched
Describing the evidence
Problem areas
Proper ways to describe
Executing the search warrant
Assignment – mock crime scene warrant
Week 3
Entry procedure
Considerations of officers- size of residence, time of day, silence when know they are inside
Tricks and ruses
Securing premises
Displaying the warrant
What may be searched in a residence
What if officers find additional contraband when serving warrant?
Assignment- continue mock crime scene warrant first half of week, due at beginning of week 4
Week 4
Mock warrant due for review/discussion first part of week 4
What happens after the search warrant is served?
Search warrant return service
Evidence chain of custody
Other searches
Instructor Bio: Mary lives in the Sacramento area of California. She has been a police officer for fourteen years. Six of those years as a detective, eight as a patrol officer, and she was recently promoted to sergeant. Mary loves to read, travel, exercise, meditate, spend time with family and friends, enjoy some wine or tea depending on the occasion. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from CSU Sacramento and a Master of Science in Criminology from UC Irvine.
*This workshop will be taught via private Facebook group. Those who sign up will receive an email with the Facebook link to join a couple days before the start of the workshop.