Under what condition can law enforcement obtain a search warrant?

The correct choice emphasizes that law enforcement can obtain a search warrant when probable cause is supported by oath or affirmation. This requirement is grounded in the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. The concept of probable cause means that law enforcement must have a reasonable belief that evidence of a crime will be found in the location specified in the warrant. This belief must be articulated through sworn testimony or written statements, establishing a firm legal basis for issuance of a warrant.

In contrast, reasonable suspicion, while a lower standard of belief that can justify brief stops and searches, does not meet the threshold required for obtaining a search warrant. Observing a crime in progress may allow law enforcement to act without a warrant (under the exigent circumstances exception), but it doesn’t directly facilitate the warrant process itself. Similarly, if a suspect grants permission to search, that allows law enforcement to conduct a search without a warrant. However, this does not pertain to the formal process of obtaining a search warrant, which hinges on the necessary elements of probable cause affirmed by oath.