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 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 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 is the crime of deliberately setting fire to a building or property?
A) Fraud
B) Burglary
C) Arson
D) Embezzlement
C) Arson
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 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 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 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: 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: Which crime is defined as lying under oath in a legal proceeding?
A) Bribery
B) Fraud
C) Obstruction
D) Perjury
D) Perjury
Which of the following is NOT a category of unprotected speech under the First Amendment?
A) Speech that violates the clear and present danger test
B) Speech advocating unlawful conduct
C) Fighting words
D) Political speech
D) Political speech
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: Which crime involves deceit or trickery to obtain money or property?
A) Arson
B) Fraud
C) Embezzlement
D) Trespassing
B) Fraud
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 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: 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: 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
Which of the following is NOT an element of larceny?
A) The taking and carrying away
B) Of property of another
C) Without consent
D) But with the purpose of depriving the owner of possession, even if temporarily
D) But with the purpose of depriving the owner of possession, even if temporarily
Which of the following situations would be considered escape?
A) A person on house arrest cuts off their ankle monitor and goes into hiding.
B) A person is released from jail due to a clerical error and fails to report it.
C) A person on parole moves to another city without informing their parole officer.
D) A person violates curfew restrictions but remains within their jurisdiction.
A) A person on house arrest cuts off their ankle monitor and goes into hiding.
What is the only crime defined in the U.S. Constitution?
A) Treason
B) Bribery
C) Piracy
D) Sedition
A) Treason
Treason is the only crime specifically defined in the U.S. Constitution, found in Article III, Section 3, which states:
"Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."
Which of the following is NOT an element of self-defense?
A) The necessity to use force
B) The proportionality of the force to the threat
C) The reasonableness of the belief that force was necessary
D) The intent to harm the aggressor
D) The intent to harm the aggressor
Self-defense justifies the use of force only to prevent harm, not to cause harm or retaliate.
Which of the following best describes Megan’s Law?
A) A law requiring convicted sex offenders to register with law enforcement and making certain information available to the public.
B) A federal law that mandates life sentences for repeat violent offenders.
C) A law that increases penalties for crimes against children under the age of 12.
D) A law that protects victims of domestic violence by providing confidential addresses.
A) A law requiring convicted sex offenders to register with law enforcement and making certain information available to the public.
The difference between burglary and breaking and entering is:
A) Burglary requires intent to commit a crime inside, while breaking and entering does not.
B) Breaking and entering always involves force, while burglary does not.
C) Burglary only occurs at night, while breaking and entering can happen at any time.
D) Breaking and entering is a felony, while burglary is a misdemeanor.
A) Burglary requires intent to commit a crime inside, while breaking and entering does not.
RICO Act is short for:
A) Regulated Interstate Criminal Operations Act
B) Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
C) Racketeering and Illicit Corruption Ordinance Act
D) Regional Investigation of Criminal Organizations Act
B) Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act