Texas Municipal Court Clerk Practice Exam

Municipal judges have the authority to issue both search warrants and emergency protection orders, which makes this the correct answer.

Search warrants allow law enforcement officers to conduct searches of specific places for evidence related to crimes, ensuring they do so in compliance with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution regarding unlawful searches and seizures. Municipal judges assess the probable cause presented to them in order to authorize these searches.

Emergency protection orders, on the other hand, are issued in situations where there is an immediate threat to an individual's safety, particularly in cases involving domestic violence. These orders provide temporary protection and allow law enforcement to intervene swiftly to safeguard victims.

The other options suggest a more limited scope of authority. While it is true that municipal judges can issue arrest warrants, they are not confined to this function alone, as they can also issue search warrants and emergency protection orders. Thus, stating they only issue arrest warrants or search warrants does not capture the full extent of their judicial powers. Similarly, asserting that they cannot issue any orders overlooks their critical role in the judicial process that includes the issuance of both search warrants and emergency protection orders.