What general requirement is necessary for a facially valid search warrant?

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A facially valid search warrant must be based on probable cause. This means that there must be a reasonable belief, supported by facts and circumstances, that evidence of a crime will be found in the location specified in the warrant. The concept of probable cause provides a safeguard against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment, ensuring that law enforcement authorities have sufficient justification before intruding into an individual's privacy.

Probable cause is established through the submission of affidavits or sworn statements that detail the facts and circumstances that lead the issuing judge or magistrate to conclude that a search would likely yield evidence of criminal activity. Without this foundation, any search warrant would be considered invalid, leading to the exclusion of any evidence obtained during the search.

In contrast, the other options focus on methods or types of evidence that do not fulfill the legal requirements necessary for a warrant's validity. A consensual search does not require a warrant at all; surveillance tape may supplement evidence but is not a prerequisite; and interrogation evidence pertains to statements made by suspects that must be lawfully obtained. Thus, the essence of the requirement for a facially valid search warrant hinges solely on the establishment of probable cause.

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