What is defined as a court order directing a law enforcement officer to search for designated items?

A search warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a specific location for designated items. This document is essential because it provides law enforcement with the legal authority to invade an individual's privacy and property rights while ensuring that the search is carried out in accordance with the law, thereby upholding constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The process of obtaining a search warrant typically requires law enforcement to present probable cause, usually supported by an affidavit detailing the reasons for the search and the specific items sought. This safeguard helps to protect citizens from arbitrary intrusion by the state, making the search warrant a critical tool in ensuring that law enforcement actions are justified and lawful.

In contrast, the other options do not specifically refer to the authority to search for items. A court order can encompass various types of legal directives, but it does not specifically pertain to searches. An investigative warrant is often related to more complex procedures around obtaining evidence but lacks the specific focus on designated items like a search warrant does. An inspection warrant typically refers to searches related to regulatory compliance rather than criminal investigation, thus differing in purpose from a traditional search warrant.