writ of assistance

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of writ of assistance¹

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

Here in Davenport, he reached back to the American Revolution, comparing the Obama administration’s bulk data collection to the “writs of assistance” that were issued by the British.

From Washington Post

A writ of assistance was a general search-warrant, empowering the officer armed with it to enter, by force if necessary, any dwelling-house or warehouse where contraband goods were supposed to be stored or hidden.

From Project Gutenberg

Charles Paxton, commissioner of customs in Boston, applied to the Superior Court for authority to use writs of assistance in searching for smuggled goods.

From Project Gutenberg

A custom house officer applied for what was termed "a writ of assistance," which was an authority to search any house for dutiable articles suspected to be concealed in it.

From Project Gutenberg