In our previous blog post of the “Understanding Search Warrants” series, About the search warrant document, we explored the composition and importance of search warrant documents, with a specific focus on affidavits. Today, we shed light on a crucial and often misunderstood element known as the affiant’s Expertise Statement.
Trust me Judge, I know what I’m talking about…
Judges want to know that the officer writing the affidavit has the background to recognize evidence, interpret behaviors, and connect facts to probable cause. The expertise section, sometimes called the “hero sheet” or “brag sheet”, sets the tone. It shows you are trained, experienced, and capable of drawing the conclusions that support your warrant.
Keep it lean. Include only training and experience that is relevant to the case. Listing unrelated courses or certifications distracts and can weaken your affidavit.
The Baseline Statement
Every officer should include a basic foundation in their affidavit. At minimum, establish that you:
- Are a sworn peace officer.
- Have investigated criminal offenses.
- Have collected evidence.
This assures the judge that you understand law enforcement work and the process of gathering and protecting evidence.
Specialty Statements
When the case involves specialized crimes, your expertise statement must go further. For example:
- In a narcotics case, reference your training in drug recognition and experience investigating trafficking.
- In a cybercrime case, note your training in digital evidence collection or prior cases where you executed electronic search warrants.
- In a fraud investigation, highlight your knowledge of financial records, forgery detection, or related training.
This connects your skills directly to the evidence sought in the warrant and strengthens probable cause.
Best Practices
- Stay relevant: Only include training and experience that apply to the current case.
- Be concise: Keep statements clear and to the point. Judges read hundreds of warrants and clarity stands out.
- Update regularly: As you gain new training or certifications, update your standard expertise statement so it’s ready for future warrants.
Why It Helps Your Case
A strong expertise statement makes it easier for judges to understand why your opinion matters. It explains why you recognized the evidence, why your conclusions are reasonable, and why the court should trust your judgment. A clear and relevant statement can be the difference between approval and rejection of your warrant.
Not sure what to write?
General Baseline Expertise Statement
“I am a sworn peace officer employed by the [Agency Name]. I have been a law enforcement officer for [X] years. During this time, I have conducted criminal investigations, made arrests, written reports, and collected physical and digital evidence. I have executed numerous search warrants and am familiar with the procedures for securing, documenting, and presenting evidence in court.”
Narcotics Case Expertise Statement
“I am currently assigned to the [Narcotics Unit/Division] and have received specialized training in drug recognition, trafficking investigations, and evidence handling. I have participated in investigations involving the possession, distribution, and manufacturing of controlled substances. Based on this training and experience, I am familiar with how narcotics are packaged, sold, and concealed, as well as common terminology used by drug traffickers.”
Want to learn more about search warrants? Follow our blog series to learn more about how search warrants work, tips & tricks for writing great warrants, and insights on evidence that law enforcement can collect. There is a lot to learn, so rely on the experts at WarrantBuilder.com! Sign up for a free trial and learn why cops across the country trust Warrant Builder for fast, efficient, and complete search warrants.
