Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Bill would restore updated powers to issue search warrants for serious offences after the Supreme Court struck down the previous system. District Court judges could issue warrants where there are reasonable grounds to suspect evidence is present; in urgent cases, an independent Garda superintendent could do so, but the warrant would last no more than 48 hours and the reasons would have to be recorded. It would also add the same independence and record-keeping safeguards to urgent warrants for suspected drug offences.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the provisions of the Offences against the State Act 1939, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 relating to the issue of search warrants; and to provide for related matters

Last updated 12 April 2018