CRIMINAL LAW EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED A+
STUDY GUIDE SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
1. Criminal law primarily deals with:
A. Offenses against the state or public
B. Private contracts only
C. Parking violations only
D. Land ownership disputes only
Answer: A
Rationale: Criminal law governs acts considered offenses against society.
2. The main purpose of criminal law is to:
A. Punish wrongdoing and maintain public order
B. Increase private profits
C. Resolve family disputes only
D. Manage businesses
Answer: A
Rationale: Criminal law maintains social order and deters crime.
3. A crime is best defined as:
A. An act prohibited and punishable by law
B. Any disagreement between individuals
C. A civil contract violation
D. A moral opinion
Answer: A
Rationale: Crimes are legally prohibited acts.
4. The prosecution in a criminal case represents:
,A. The state
B. The defendant
C. The victim only
D. The judge
Answer: A
Rationale: The state prosecutes criminal offenses.
5. The accused in a criminal trial is called the:
A. Defendant
B. Plaintiff
C. Witness
D. Judge
Answer: A
Rationale: The defendant is the person charged with a crime.
6. Mens rea refers to:
A. Guilty mind or intent
B. Physical act
C. Punishment level
D. Court procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: Mens rea means criminal intent.
7. Actus reus refers to:
A. The guilty act
B. Intent only
C. Punishment
D. Evidence rules
Answer: A
Rationale: Actus reus is the physical act of the crime.
8. For a crime to occur, there must be:
, A. Both mens rea and actus reus
B. Only intent
C. Only punishment
D. Only witnesses
Answer: A
Rationale: Both elements are required for most crimes.
9. Murder is classified as:
A. A serious criminal offense
B. A civil dispute
C. A contract violation
D. A parking offense
Answer: A
Rationale: Murder is a grave crime against a person.
10. Theft involves:
A. Taking property without permission
B. Borrowing legally
C. Renting property
D. Sharing property
Answer: A
Rationale: Theft is unlawful taking of property.
11. Robbery differs from theft because it involves:
A. Use of force or threat
B. Permission
C. Written contracts
D. Civil dispute
Answer: A
Rationale: Robbery includes violence or intimidation.
12. Burden of proof in criminal law lies with:
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED A+
STUDY GUIDE SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
1. Criminal law primarily deals with:
A. Offenses against the state or public
B. Private contracts only
C. Parking violations only
D. Land ownership disputes only
Answer: A
Rationale: Criminal law governs acts considered offenses against society.
2. The main purpose of criminal law is to:
A. Punish wrongdoing and maintain public order
B. Increase private profits
C. Resolve family disputes only
D. Manage businesses
Answer: A
Rationale: Criminal law maintains social order and deters crime.
3. A crime is best defined as:
A. An act prohibited and punishable by law
B. Any disagreement between individuals
C. A civil contract violation
D. A moral opinion
Answer: A
Rationale: Crimes are legally prohibited acts.
4. The prosecution in a criminal case represents:
,A. The state
B. The defendant
C. The victim only
D. The judge
Answer: A
Rationale: The state prosecutes criminal offenses.
5. The accused in a criminal trial is called the:
A. Defendant
B. Plaintiff
C. Witness
D. Judge
Answer: A
Rationale: The defendant is the person charged with a crime.
6. Mens rea refers to:
A. Guilty mind or intent
B. Physical act
C. Punishment level
D. Court procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: Mens rea means criminal intent.
7. Actus reus refers to:
A. The guilty act
B. Intent only
C. Punishment
D. Evidence rules
Answer: A
Rationale: Actus reus is the physical act of the crime.
8. For a crime to occur, there must be:
, A. Both mens rea and actus reus
B. Only intent
C. Only punishment
D. Only witnesses
Answer: A
Rationale: Both elements are required for most crimes.
9. Murder is classified as:
A. A serious criminal offense
B. A civil dispute
C. A contract violation
D. A parking offense
Answer: A
Rationale: Murder is a grave crime against a person.
10. Theft involves:
A. Taking property without permission
B. Borrowing legally
C. Renting property
D. Sharing property
Answer: A
Rationale: Theft is unlawful taking of property.
11. Robbery differs from theft because it involves:
A. Use of force or threat
B. Permission
C. Written contracts
D. Civil dispute
Answer: A
Rationale: Robbery includes violence or intimidation.
12. Burden of proof in criminal law lies with:
