In a search warrant, the place to be searched and the items to be seized must be described with particularity.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for residences
• D. Only if the warrant is for drugs

Answer: (A)

Particularity is the requirement that a search warrant identify with enough specificity both where the search will take place and what items may be seized. This guardrail prevents broad, open-ended searches and keeps the magistrate’s authorization tied to a narrow scope. The place to be searched must be described clearly enough so the executing officers can locate it—think of a specific address or clearly described premises—and the items to be seized must be described with enough detail to avoid grabbing everything in sight, such as naming exact drugs, a specific type of contraband, or particular categories of evidence. This rule applies to all warrants, not just homes or drug cases, ensuring searches stay within lawful bounds.