An arrest warrant is issued by which of the following?

An arrest warrant is issued by a magistrate or another proper judicial officer because this process is designed to provide a legal oversight mechanism in the enforcement of the law. The role of the magistrate or judicial officer is to evaluate the evidence presented by law enforcement to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the individual named in the warrant is responsible. This requirement for judicial approval ensures that arrests are made legally and protects citizens’ rights against arbitrary or unlawful detention.

In contrast, choices such as a police officer, a mayor, or a local law enforcement head lack the necessary judicial authority to issue warrants. While officers can initiate the process to seek a warrant, they cannot issue one independently. A mayor or local law enforcement head does not have the judicial power required to authorize an arrest warrant, which is a safeguard for the legal process.