A common question is explaining the different types of warrants. Warrants can be for a variety reasons. Two of the most common are arrest and search warrants, but they are totally different. An arrest warrant can be issued for many reasons: At the beginning of a case, before the initial appearance has been made, for missing a court date or for failure to comply with a court order. A subject of an arrest warrant may not always know about the existence of the warrant until after they are arrested.
A target will never know about the existence of a search warrant. Those are used by law enforcement to look inside a protected piece of property- usually a house or apartment. If you have a search warrant executed at your residence and you are not arrested, it is important that you speak to an attorney who can help you with an resulting charges.