North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

How long is a search warrant valid for?

1. 24 hours

2. 48 hours

3. 1 week

4. 2 weeks

The correct answer is: 48 hours

A search warrant in North Carolina is valid for 48 hours from the time it is issued. This timeframe allows law enforcement adequate time to execute the warrant while ensuring that the search occurs in a timely manner. If the warrant is not executed within this 48-hour period, it typically becomes void unless otherwise instructed by the issuing authority. This regulation is in place to respect the rights of individuals and to maintain the integrity of the judicial process; essentially, the law aims to balance the needs of law enforcement with the constitutional rights of citizens.