Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Law and Constitution 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'exclusionary rule' in criminal law?
- A rule excluding certain jurors
- A rule barring illegally obtained evidence from trial (Correct answer)
- A rule excluding prior convictions
- A rule barring hearsay testimony
Correct answer: A rule barring illegally obtained evidence from trial
The exclusionary rule prohibits the use of evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights at trial.
Question 2: A 'Terry stop' allows police to briefly detain a person based on what standard?
- Probable cause
- Beyond a reasonable doubt
- Reasonable suspicion (Correct answer)
- Preponderance of evidence
Correct answer: Reasonable suspicion
Terry v. Ohio established that police may conduct brief investigative stops based on reasonable, articulable suspicion of criminal activity.
Question 3: Which exception allows police to search a vehicle without a warrant during a lawful traffic stop?
- Plain view doctrine
- Automobile exception (Correct answer)
- Exigent circumstances
- Consent exception
Correct answer: Automobile exception
The automobile exception permits warrantless searches of vehicles when police have probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is present.
Question 4: What does 'probable cause' mean in the context of a lawful arrest?
- Absolute certainty of guilt
- A reasonable belief based on facts that a crime was committed (Correct answer)
- A hunch or intuition by an officer
- Evidence proven beyond a reasonable doubt
Correct answer: A reasonable belief based on facts that a crime was committed
Probable cause requires reasonably trustworthy facts sufficient to believe a person has committed a crime.
Question 5: The 'good faith exception' to the exclusionary rule was established in which Supreme Court case?
- Illinois v. Gates
- United States v. Leon (Correct answer)
- Nix v. Williams
- Arizona v. Evans
Correct answer: United States v. Leon
United States v. Leon (1984) created the good faith exception, allowing evidence obtained with a defective warrant if officers reasonably relied on it.
Question 6: Which constitutional amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?
- Fifth Amendment
- Sixth Amendment
- Seventh Amendment
- Eighth Amendment (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Eighth Amendment
The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.
Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Law and Constitution 2
What is the 'exclusionary rule' in criminal law?