MPOETC Constitutional Law & Civil Rights 2

Question 1

Under Terry v. Ohio, what level of suspicion is required for a police officer to conduct a brief investigative stop?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable articulable suspicion

Answer

Terry stops require only reasonable articulable suspicion, a lower standard than probable cause.

Question 2

The 'plain view' doctrine allows officers to seize evidence without a warrant when which conditions are met?

Accepted Answer

The officer is lawfully present, the item is immediately apparent as contraband, and discovery is inadvertent

Answer

Plain view requires lawful presence, immediately apparent incriminating nature, and lawful access to the object.

Question 3

A suspect invokes their right to counsel during a custodial interrogation. What must officers do?

Accepted Answer

Immediately cease all questioning until an attorney is present

Answer

Under Edwards v. Arizona, once a suspect invokes the right to counsel, all interrogation must stop until counsel is present.

Question 4

Which Supreme Court case established that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment is generally inadmissible in court?

Accepted Answer

Mapp v. Ohio

Answer

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) applied the exclusionary rule to state courts, building on the federal rule from Weeks v. United States.

Question 5

Under the Fourteenth Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause prohibits officers from making enforcement decisions based primarily on a person's:

Accepted Answer

Race or national origin

Answer

Selective enforcement based on race or national origin constitutes racial profiling and violates the Equal Protection Clause.

MPOETC - ACT 120 Certified Police Officer Practice Test