Criminal Law Pre-Assessment

Criminal Law and the Criminal Justice System

100

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

200

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

300

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

400

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

500

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

The Elements of Crime

100

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)

200

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

300

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

400

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

500

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

Types of Crime

100

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

200

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

300

Question: Which crime involves deceit or trickery to obtain money or property?

A) Arson

B) Fraud

C) Embezzlement

D) Trespassing

B) Fraud

400

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

500

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

Crimes against Property

100

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

200

Question: What is the crime of deliberately setting fire to a building or property?

A) Fraud

B) Burglary

C) Arson

D) Embezzlement

C) Arson

300

Question: Which crime involves unlawfully taking property from another person without their consent?

A) Larceny

B) Assault

C) Battery

D) Forgery

A) Larceny

400

Question: What crime involves destroying or defacing property?

A) Burglary

B) Arson

C) Embezzlement

D) Vandalism

D) Vandalism

500

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

Crimes against the Community and Institutions

100

Question: What crime involves unlawfully disturbing the peace in a public place?

A) Assault

B) Battery

C) Disorderly conduct

D) Larceny

C) Disorderly conduct

200

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

300

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

400

Question: Which crime is defined as lying under oath in a legal proceeding?

A) Bribery

B) Fraud

C) Obstruction

D) Perjury

D) Perjury

500

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