What is the federal criminal justice system's approach to obtaining search warrants?

In New Mexico, the federal criminal justice system follows the same approach for obtaining search warrants as the state court system. This approach is regulated by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution which states that warrants must be issued by a "neutral and detached magistrate" and "particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized." In order for a search warrant to be issued, a federal agent or law enforcement official must provide a sworn statement to the magistrate that describes the facts upon which the warrant is based. This sworn statement must contain evidence of probable cause which is defined as "a reasonable belief that evidence of a crime may be found in a certain place." When a search warrant is properly obtained, federal law enforcement officers are then allowed to search the premises described in the warrant and seize any evidence of a crime that they may find. This evidence may then be used as evidence in the criminal case against the defendant. At times, federal officers may not be able to obtain a search warrant due to the lack of probable cause or other circumstances. In these cases, an officer is allowed to enter the premises if there is reasonable suspicion that a crime is occurring, or if the officer has obtained the permission of the property owner or occupant. However, any evidence obtained in these circumstances may not be used in the criminal case because it was not obtained with a warrant.

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What is the federal criminal justice system's approach to obtaining search warrants?

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