writ of assistance

American  

noun

American History.

1. a writ issued by a superior colonial court authorizing officers of the British crown to summon aid and enter and search any premises.

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Etymology

Origin of writ of assistance

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

If the tenants do not move voluntarily, the city can request a writ of assistance from the Rock County Courts to allow law enforcement to remove them from the property, Klimczyk said.

From Washington Times

Open-ended “writs of assistance” gave authorities licence to search anything they liked, infuriating the colonists and inspiring the Fourth Amendment.

From Economist

It had been included in the Bill of Rights because Americans so resented the occupying British army and royal officials and their use of general writs of assistance to search homes and seize goods.

From New York Times

The organized system of smuggling that existed in the Colonies caused the Custom House officers to apply for the "writs of assistance," that were frequently employed in England.

From Project Gutenberg

It prohibits general search warrants such as were commonly used by the British authorities in the colonies prior to the outbreak of the Revolution and which were popularly known as "writs of assistance."

From Project Gutenberg