What is a written court order commanding a peace officer to arrest a person called?

A written court order commanding a peace officer to arrest a person is known as a warrant. This document is issued by a judge or magistrate and authorizes law enforcement to take a specified individual into custody. The warrant includes the individual's details and outlines the reasons for the arrest, ensuring that the law enforcement action is supported by judicial approval.

In this context, other options serve different legal purposes. A writ of habeas corpus is a legal procedure that seeks to challenge the legality of a person's detention or imprisonment. A subpoena is an order to compel someone to appear in court or produce evidence in a legal proceeding. A summons is a document that notifies an individual that they are being sued and requires them to respond to a civil complaint. Each of these alternatives has distinct legal functions, but none serve the specific purpose of commanding an arrest, which is why a warrant is the correct choice.