According to the Fourth Amendment, what is necessary for a warrant to be issued?

The necessity for a warrant to be issued, as outlined in the Fourth Amendment, is grounded in the requirement of "probable cause supported by an oath." This clause ensures that law enforcement must have a reasonable basis to believe that a crime has occurred or that evidence of a crime can be found at a specified location. The requirement for an oath adds a layer of accountability and integrity, as officers must affirm the truth of their assertions under penalty of perjury. This protects individuals from arbitrary intrusions by the government and helps to uphold the principle of privacy and security in one’s person, house, papers, and effects.

The other options do not fulfill the constitutional requirement set by the Fourth Amendment. Random suspicion lacks the necessary foundation of probable cause and cannot justify a search warrant. An agreement from law enforcement alone does not constitute the legal threshold needed for a warrant; it must be presented before a judge who evaluates the merit of the claim. Lastly, consent from the accused is not required to issue a warrant; the framework is intended to restrict searches to those instances where there is solid evidence supporting the need to intrude on a person's rights.