Question

what was the purpose of the writs of assistance? it was to provide assistance to all lawyers. they allowed a government official to enter a business or home, or come aboard a ship, to search for smuggled goods. it stopped all searching of ships for smuggled goods. to write more rules and regulations for the colonists.

Answer 1

Writs of assistance were a legal tool to help combat smuggling by allowing searches for contraband goods without prior notice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of writs of assistance was to aid customs officials in enforcing trade laws by allowing government officials to enter businesses, homes, and ships without prior notice to search for smuggled goods. These writs acted as general search warrants, significantly empowering the customs board, particularly with the Revenue Act and the Commissioners of Customs Act of 1767, which established the American Board of Customs focused on mitigating smuggling activities. They were a part of broader efforts, such as the Navigation Act of 1696, to enforce customs laws and improve duty collection by combating the widespread smuggling that frustrated British economic policies.