What evidence is required for a search warrant to be valid?

A search warrant requires believed reasonable grounds for evidence to be valid, which means that law enforcement must have a reasonable basis to believe that evidence of a crime can be found at the location they wish to search. This standard, known as "reasonable grounds," is essential in upholding the legal rights of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures as outlined in legislation like the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The determination of reasonable grounds is made through various means, including but not limited to witness testimonies, informants, or corroborated information from investigative measures. However, it is the belief in the presence of evidence that specifically allows law enforcement to secure a search warrant from a judge or justice of the peace, as this belief must be backed by facts and supported by the context of the investigation.

Other types of evidence, such as witness testimonies alone, confessions, or surveillance footage, may support an application for a search warrant but are not sufficient on their own to establish the necessary reasonable grounds. It is the comprehensive assessment of all available evidence and circumstances that leads to a justified request for a search warrant.