What is writ of assistance

A written order issued by a court of instructing a law enforcement official, such as a sheriff or a tax collector, to perform a certain task.

Writ of assistance, in English and American colonial history, a general search warrant issued by superior provincial courts to assist the British government in enforcing trade and navigation laws. Such warrants authorized customhouse officers (with the assistance of a sheriff, justice of the peace, or constable) to search any house for smuggled goods without specifying either the house or the goods.