64AWhen search warrants can be issued

64A When search warrants can be issued

Search of premises (1) A Magistrate may issue a warrant authorising an inspector to search premises if the Magistrate is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is, or there will be within the next 72 hours, any evidential material at the premises. Search of a person (2) A Magistrate may issue a warrant authorising an inspector to carry out an ordinary search or a frisk search of a person if the Magistrate is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person has in his or her possession, or will within the next 72 hours have in his or her possession, any evidential material. Use of firearms (3) If the inspector applying for the warrant suspects that, in executing the warrant, it will be necessary to use firearms, the inspector must state that suspicion, and the grounds for that suspicion, in the information. Statements in warrant—general (4) If a Magistrate issues a warrant, the Magistrate is to state in the warrant:

(a) the offence to which the warrant relates; and

(b) a description of the premises to which the warrant relates or the name or description of the person to whom it relates; and

(c) the kinds of evidential material that are to be searched for under the warrant; and

(d) the name of the inspector who is to be responsible for executing the warrant; and

(e) the period for which the warrant remains in force, which must not be more than 7 days; and

(f) whether the warrant may be executed at any time or only during particular hours.

Statements in warrant—search of premises (5) The Magistrate is also to state, in a warrant in relation to premises:

(a) that the warrant authorises the seizure of a thing (other than evidential material of the kind referred to in paragraph (4)(c)) found at the premises in the course of the search that the executing inspector or an officer assisting believes on reasonable grounds to be:

(i) evidential material in relation to an offence to which the warrant relates; or

(ii) a thing relevant to another offence against this Act, where the other offence is an indictable offence;

if the executing inspector or an officer assisting believes on reasonable grounds that seizure of the thing is necessary to prevent its concealment, loss or destruction or its use in committing an offence against this Act; and

(b) whether the warrant authorises an ordinary search or a frisk search of a person who is at or near the premises when the warrant is executed if the executing inspector or an officer assisting suspects on reasonable grounds that the person has any evidential material or eligible seizable items in his or her possession.