A search warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specific location for evidence of a crime. This document is based on probable cause, meaning there must be reasonable grounds to believe that evidence related to a crime is present at the location. To obtain a search warrant, law enforcement must present evidence to the judge, detailing what they are looking for and where they plan to search. The warrant must specify the area to be searched and the items sought, ensuring that the search is conducted lawfully and respects the rights of individuals, as protected by the Fourth Amendment.