214 Money Laundering: A Guide for Criminal Investigators, Third Edition
finAnciAl seArch WArrAnts
We are distinguishing between document warrants, for sub-
ject records, and nancial warrants, for third-party records,
although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Financial search warrants are those that are used when a
grand jury subpoena can’t be had. Search warrants are very
intrusive, though subpoenas can be as well. A search war-
rant permits investigators immediately to obtain the records
sought, preventing their destruction or concealment.
Federal law and rules (28 C.F.R. §59.5) govern this type
of search warrant. In determining whether a subpoena or
a search warrant should be employed, a number of factors
can be considered. ...