What happens if an arresting officer is not the one who obtained the warrant?

An arresting officer does not need to be the one who obtained the warrant in order to execute it legally, as long as they are acting within their jurisdiction. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, but it does not stipulate that a specific officer must obtain the warrant. Instead, it is valid for any authorized law enforcement officer to execute a warrant issued for an arrest if they are legally within the jurisdiction where the warrant is applicable.

In practical terms, law enforcement agencies often have different officers involved in various stages of a case, including obtaining warrants and executing them. As long as the warrant is valid, signed by a judge or magistrate, and is being executed in the proper jurisdiction, the executing officer can make the arrest even if they were not the one to initiate the warrant process. This principle helps ensure that justice can be served effectively and efficiently, without unnecessary technicalities hindering law enforcement.

The other options do not align with established legal procedures regarding warrants and the execution of arrests. Therefore, the correct understanding lies in the fact that as long as the officer is acting within their lawful authority and jurisdiction, the arrest can proceed.