Telewarrants are applications for search warrants made by telephone or other means of telecommunication.
Section 487.1 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46 and section 22 of the Offence Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 338, require a peace officer applying for a search warrant by telephone or other means of telecommunication to submit an information on oath to a justice designated by the chief judge of the Provincial Court. Pursuant to section 11 of the Provincial Court Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 379, the Chief Judge has assigned responsibility for all search warrants to Judicial Justices (JJs). With respect to telewarrants, this assignment constitutes a designation pursuant to section 487.1 of the Criminal Code and section 22 of the Offence Act.