Criminal Law and the Criminal Justice System
Question: What is the primary purpose of criminal law?
A) To resolve private disputes
B) To punish offenders and protect society
C) To promote trade and commerce
D) To enforce civil rights
B) To punish offenders and protect society
Question: What are the basic elements required for most crimes?
A) Intent and knowledge
B) Actus reus (the act) and mens rea (the intent)
C) Opportunity and motive
D) Consent and knowledge
B) Actus reus (the act) and mens rea (the intent)
Question: What is the term for crimes that are inherently wrong and immoral?
A) Mala in se
B) Mala prohibita
C) Felony
D) Misdemeanor
A) Mala in se
Question: What crime involves unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime inside?
A) Trespassing
B) Burglary
C) Vandalism
D) Arson
B) Burglary
Question: What crime involves unlawfully disturbing the peace in a public place?
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) Disorderly conduct
D) Larceny
C) Disorderly conduct
Question: Which of the following is considered a key function of the criminal justice system?
A) Rehabilitation of offenders
B) Execution of civil contracts
C) Regulation of corporate policies
D) Management of public utilities
A) Rehabilitation of offenders
Question: What does "actus reus" refer to?
A) A guilty mind
B) A guilty act
C) The motive for a crime
D) The defense strategy
B) A guilty act
Question: What type of crime involves theft but does not involve force or threat against a person?
A) Assault
B) Burglary
C) Larceny
D) Kidnapping
C) Larceny
Question: What is the crime of deliberately setting fire to a building or property?
A) Fraud
B) Burglary
C) Arson
D) Embezzlement
C) Arson
Question: Which crime involves the unauthorized use of someone else’s property or money for personal gain?
A) Trespassing
B) Embezzlement
C) Fraud
D) Burglary
B) Embezzlement
Question: What is "mens rea" in criminal law?
A) The physical act of committing a crime
B) A type of defense used in court
C) The mental state or intent to commit a crime
D) The punishment for a crime
C) The mental state or intent to commit a crime
Question: Which of the following is an example of a strict liability crime?
A) Burglary
B) Robbery
C) Traffic violations
D) Arson
C) Traffic violations
Question: Which crime involves deceit or trickery to obtain money or property?
A) Arson
B) Fraud
C) Embezzlement
D) Trespassing
B) Fraud
Question: Which crime involves unlawfully taking property from another person without their consent?
A) Larceny
B) Assault
C) Battery
D) Forgery
A) Larceny
Question: What crime involves obstructing or resisting law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties?
A) Bribery
B) Perjury
C) Obstruction of justice
D) Disorderly conduct
C) Obstruction of justice
Question: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides protection against unreasonable searches and seizures?
A) First Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
C) Sixth Amendment
D) Eighth Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
Question: What element differentiates first-degree murder from second-degree murder?
A) Presence of a weapon
B) Intent to cause harm
C) Premeditation
D) Self-defense
C) Premeditation
Question: What is the term for a crime punishable by less than one year in jail?
A) Felony
B) Misdemeanor
C) Infraction
D) Ordinance violation
B) Misdemeanor
Question: What crime involves destroying or defacing property?
A) Burglary
B) Arson
C) Embezzlement
D) Vandalism
D) Vandalism
Question: Which crime is defined as lying under oath in a legal proceeding?
A) Bribery
B) Fraud
C) Obstruction
D) Perjury
D) Perjury
Question: What is the burden of proof in a criminal case?
A) Preponderance of the evidence
B) Clear and convincing evidence
C) Beyond a reasonable doubt
D) Reasonable suspicion
C) Beyond a reasonable doubt
Question: What is the legal term for a situation where a person intentionally encourages another to commit a crime?
A) Accomplice liability
B) Conspiracy
C) Solicitation
D) Entrapment
C) Solicitation
Question: Which crime is characterized by the use or threat of violence for political purposes?
A) Burglary
B) Terrorism
C) Vandalism
D) Extortion
B) Terrorism
Question: Which type of theft involves the unlawful taking of property by someone who is in a position of trust or authority?
A) Robbery
B) Larceny
C) Embezzlement
D) Extortion
C) Embezzlement
Question: What is the crime called when a person bribes a public official to influence their decisions or actions?
A) Embezzlement
B) Fraud
C) Bribery
D) Perjury
C) Bribery