SCCJA BLE Pre-Academy Cumulative
Study Guide Questions and Answers
2024/2025
BLOCK 1 - CORRECT ANSWER-Introduction to Criminal Law, Courts, Crimes, &
Courtroom Procedures, First Amendment, Basic Patrol Operations, Child Abuse, Traffic
Law, Strategies of Arrest, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, and OC Spray Utilization.
Articles of the Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER-Article I - The Legislative Branch.
The principal mission of the legislative body is to make laws.
Article II - The Executive Branch.
Article III - The Judicial Branch.
Article IV - Relationship between the States
Article V - Congress and States can amend Constitution.
Article VI - Laws of USA. Supreme Law of the Land
Article VII - 9/13 states needed to ratify
What is the yearly term of the Supreme Court? - CORRECT ANSWER-Begins first
Monday of October. Last opinions issued late June or early July
Common Law vs. Statutory Law - CORRECT ANSWER-Common Law - Court decisions
Statutory Law - Legislatively created laws
Case Law/Common Law - CORRECT ANSWER-The body of prior judicial decisions
that guide judges deciding issues before them.
Binding Case Law - CORRECT ANSWER-Mandatory for a court to follow. All U.S.
Supreme Court Decisions are binding for all Federal and State Courts.
Persuasive Case Law - CORRECT ANSWER-Only entitled to careful respect and
consideration
SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals decisions - CORRECT ANSWER-Are
binding on all lower courts.
,Summary Court Judge Decisions - CORRECT ANSWER-Decisions made by one
Summary Court Judge are not binding on one another.
Supreme Court Published vs. Unpublished Decisions - CORRECT ANSWER-Only
published opinions can serve as precedent.
Unpublished opinions are only binding to the parties in which the particular case is
issued for.
Sources of legal information in SC Law - CORRECT ANSWER-SC Code of Laws
Annotated
Opinions of the SC Supreme Court and SC Supreme Court of Appeals
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
US Supreme Court
When was the Bill of Rights Proposed? - CORRECT ANSWER-September 25, 1789
When was the Bill of Rights Ratified? - CORRECT ANSWER-December 15, 1791
When and Where was the US Constitution Started? - CORRECT ANSWER-May 25th,
1787 Independence Hall Philadelphia Pennsylvania
When was the Constitution signed? - CORRECT ANSWER-September 17, 1787
When was the Constitution Ratified? - CORRECT ANSWER-June 21, 1788
When was the US Congress started? - CORRECT ANSWER-March 4th 1789 the
Confederation Congress became the Congressional Congress.
Fourth Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER-SEARCH and SEIZURE - The right of the
people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon
probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Abuse Registries - CORRECT ANSWER-DSS Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect.
Perpetrators of child abuse/neglect entered into the system by court order. DSS
Maintains the system.
Sex Offender Registry - Maintained by SC and SLED. Done through NCIC
,SC Section 56-1-10 defines Highway as? - CORRECT ANSWER-Highway means the
entire width between the boundary line of every way publicly maintained when any part
is open to the use of the public for vehicular travel.
SC Section 56-5-460 defines Roadway as? - CORRECT ANSWER-That portion of a
highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the
shoulder or berm
Protected Speech Cases for First Amendment towards LEO's - CORRECT ANSWER-
State vs Perkins - 1991 - Raised his voice at officers.
Houston Vs Hill - 1987 - The 1st Amendment protects a significant amount of criticism
and challenges directed and LEO's
State vs Bailey - 2006 - No fighting words used.
What are the three elements of successful arrest planning? - CORRECT ANSWER-SSS
Speed - Once decision to arrest is made, move as quickly but safely as needed to
maintain surprise.
Surprise - Never telegraph intentions. If probable cause exists for an arrest, than arrest.
Safety / Survival - Seek tactical advantages while putting suspect at a disadvantage.
Contact Officer - CORRECT ANSWER-The primary officer on a call. Handles all
communication, handcuffing, and searches. First officer to approach.
Cover Officer - CORRECT ANSWER-Protects Contact Officer by establishing a force
presence. Covers the threat. Discourages Escape attempts. Cover officer addresses
CASE.
What are the Three Stages of an Arrest? - CORRECT ANSWER-APC
Approach, Position, Control
Three Stages of an Arrest - Approach - CORRECT ANSWER-Search for the suspect
en-route. Use cover and concealment. Make a visual search of suspect for weapons
and body language.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Position - CORRECT ANSWER-Reactionary Gap &
Triangulation. Use Cover and Concealment. Place suspect in a disadvantageous
position.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Control - CORRECT ANSWER-Attitude is everything!
Challenge first. This takes the initiative away from the suspect. Give clear and concise
, commands. Be confident and forceful, but not overly aggressive or a hotdog. Avoid the
use of slang terms, profanity, sexist or racist comments.
What are the three types of searches to a person? - CORRECT ANSWER-Protective
Search - AKA Frisk / Pat Down / Terry Search. Non arrest, temporary detainment. Must
be able to articulate suspicion for search.
Search incident to arrest - AKA Field Search. Always handcuff subject. Use 50/50
Method. Search from the rear.
Strip Search - Only as a result of arrest. Must have justification to do so.
Requirements for Cavity Search - CORRECT ANSWER-Requires search warrant. Done
by medical professional.
14th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER-DUE PROCESS - The conduct of legal
proceedings according to established rules and principles for the protection and
enforcement of private rights. Including notice, and the right to a fair hearing before a
tribunal with the power to decide a case.
14th Amendment and Due Process - CORRECT ANSWER-Made the Bill of Rights
applicable to the states. Brought uniformity in the application of Due Process. Every
citizen of every State is a US Citizen. All US Citizens set the protections of the Bill of
Rights
Elements of an Offense - CORRECT ANSWER-Key points of a crime that the state
bears the burden of proving. State must provide proof of each and every element of a
crime to convict
Fighting Words - CORRECT ANSWER-Words that, "by their very utterance inflict injury
or tend to incite an immediate breach of peace." Fighting words are not subject to the
restrictions of the First Amendment.
Critical Elements of Proof - CORRECT ANSWER-Jurisdiction
ID of the Defendant
Physical Action (Actus Reus)
Mental Intent (Mens Rea)
Criminal Elements of Proof - Jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER-Proof the crime
happened at a location under the court's jurisdiction.
Criminal Elements of Proof - ID - CORRECT ANSWER-Proof that the defendant is
actually the person who committed the crime.
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