What must officers do with the warrant after completing a search?

After completing a search under a warrant, it is required that officers return the warrant along with an inventory of the items seized to the magistrate who issued the warrant. This process ensures proper documentation of the search and reinforces the legal accountability of law enforcement actions. The inventory serves as a record of all items taken during the search, providing transparency and a formal account of the execution of the warrant.

This step is crucial because it allows the judicial system to review the actions taken under the warrant and ensures that the search was conducted lawfully and that the rights of individuals involved were respected. Filing the warrant or inventory as a permanent record is part of the procedural necessity but does not specifically address the immediate requirement following the search. Returning the warrant to the property owner or destroying it would not comply with legal protocols that protect both the officers’ accountability and the rights of individuals under the law.