NTN Police NTN Police Legal Knowledge and Criminal Law 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 'Terry stop' (stop and frisk) requires an officer to have at minimum:
- Probable cause to arrest
- Reasonable suspicion of criminal activity (Correct answer)
- A warrant signed by a judge
- Consent from the suspect
Correct answer: Reasonable suspicion of criminal activity
Terry v. Ohio (1968) held that a brief investigatory stop requires only reasonable, articulable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot.
Question 2: Which offense is typically classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor?
- Jaywalking
- Public intoxication
- Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury (Correct answer)
- Shoplifting items under $50
Correct answer: Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury
Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury is generally classified as a felony due to the severity of harm and intent involved.
Question 3: What is the legal standard for use of force under Graham v. Connor?
- Subjective good faith of the officer
- Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer (Correct answer)
- Whether the suspect was ultimately convicted
- Whether the chief of police approved the action
Correct answer: Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer
Graham v. Connor established that use-of-force claims are analyzed under the Fourth Amendment's objective reasonableness standard, judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene.
Question 4: The crime of 'burglary' traditionally requires which key element?
- The taking of property worth more than $500
- Unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime inside (Correct answer)
- The use of a weapon during the offense
- Committing the act during daytime hours
Correct answer: Unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime inside
Burglary is defined by the unlawful entry (or remaining) in a structure with the intent to commit a crime therein, regardless of property value or time of day.
Question 5: An officer who arrests someone without legal justification may be liable for:
- False arrest / false imprisonment (Correct answer)
- Negligent homicide
- Obstruction of justice
- Dereliction of duty
Correct answer: False arrest / false imprisonment
An unlawful arrest constitutes false arrest (and false imprisonment), exposing the officer and municipality to civil liability.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'exigent circumstances' as a warrant exception?
- An officer's personal belief that a warrant would be denied
- Emergency situations such as hot pursuit, imminent destruction of evidence, or threat to life (Correct answer)
- Any situation where obtaining a warrant would be inconvenient
- Only situations involving violent felonies
Correct answer: Emergency situations such as hot pursuit, imminent destruction of evidence, or threat to life
Exigent circumstances are genuine emergencies—such as hot pursuit of a fleeing felon, risk of evidence destruction, or threat to life—that excuse the warrant requirement.
NTN Police NTN Police Legal Knowledge and Criminal Law 2
A 'Terry stop' (stop and frisk) requires an officer to have at minimum: