NYPD COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW RESOURCE
●● Justice
Answer: the application of law impartially; doing the right thing for the
right reasons
●● Social Contract
Answer: people surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection by
society.
●● Criminal Law
Answer: a wrong against society, punishable by arrest/prison. Goal is
justice/deterrence/reformation. Initiated by a government prosecutor on
behalf of the public.
●● Civil Law
Answer: a wrong against an individual. Goal is compensatory damages
to victims. Typically initiated by the person(s) who have been wronged.
●● Lawsuits
Answer: civil legal actions
,●● Probable Cause
Answer: used for arrest/Grand Jury, also known as reasonable
cause/grounds to believe
●● Preponderance of the Evidence
Answer: used in civil cases or to raise an affirmative defense in criminal
court, 51% or tip the scale
●● Clear and Convincing Evidence
Answer: used in traffic court, 75% standard proof
●● Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Answer: used in criminal trials, all jurors must agree, is the highest
standard in law, 99%
●● Offense
Answer: any conduct which jail/fine can be imposed
●● Felony
Answer: punishable by more than 1 year (366 days), usually in state
prison
,●● Misdemeanor
Answer: punishable by 16 days to 1 year not more than a year, usually in
city/county jail
●● Petty Offense
Answer: a minor violation of the law
●● Violation
Answer: punishable by up to 15 days in jail or a fine, usually in a
city/county jail
●● Traffic Infraction
Answer: usually requires a fine
●● English Common Law
Answer: presumption of innocence, right to cross-examine one's
accusers
●● Bill of Rights
Answer: First 10 Amendments to the constitution
●● Statutes
Answer: formalized written laws enacted by a legislature
, ●● Court Decisions
Answer: also known as case law
●● 1st Amendment
Answer: freedom of religion, assembly, speech, petition, press; none of
these freedoms are absolute
●● 2nd Amendment
Answer: Right to bear arms; not absolute, can be regulated by
state/federal government
●● 4th Amendment
Answer: Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures; requires
probable cause
●● Exclusionary Rule
Answer: if evidence is obtained illegally, it will be suppressed at court
●● 5th Amendment
Answer: includes rights such as the right to a Grand Jury, Eminent
Domain, Double Jeopardy, Due Process, and Self-incrimination
DETAILED ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW RESOURCE
●● Justice
Answer: the application of law impartially; doing the right thing for the
right reasons
●● Social Contract
Answer: people surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection by
society.
●● Criminal Law
Answer: a wrong against society, punishable by arrest/prison. Goal is
justice/deterrence/reformation. Initiated by a government prosecutor on
behalf of the public.
●● Civil Law
Answer: a wrong against an individual. Goal is compensatory damages
to victims. Typically initiated by the person(s) who have been wronged.
●● Lawsuits
Answer: civil legal actions
,●● Probable Cause
Answer: used for arrest/Grand Jury, also known as reasonable
cause/grounds to believe
●● Preponderance of the Evidence
Answer: used in civil cases or to raise an affirmative defense in criminal
court, 51% or tip the scale
●● Clear and Convincing Evidence
Answer: used in traffic court, 75% standard proof
●● Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Answer: used in criminal trials, all jurors must agree, is the highest
standard in law, 99%
●● Offense
Answer: any conduct which jail/fine can be imposed
●● Felony
Answer: punishable by more than 1 year (366 days), usually in state
prison
,●● Misdemeanor
Answer: punishable by 16 days to 1 year not more than a year, usually in
city/county jail
●● Petty Offense
Answer: a minor violation of the law
●● Violation
Answer: punishable by up to 15 days in jail or a fine, usually in a
city/county jail
●● Traffic Infraction
Answer: usually requires a fine
●● English Common Law
Answer: presumption of innocence, right to cross-examine one's
accusers
●● Bill of Rights
Answer: First 10 Amendments to the constitution
●● Statutes
Answer: formalized written laws enacted by a legislature
, ●● Court Decisions
Answer: also known as case law
●● 1st Amendment
Answer: freedom of religion, assembly, speech, petition, press; none of
these freedoms are absolute
●● 2nd Amendment
Answer: Right to bear arms; not absolute, can be regulated by
state/federal government
●● 4th Amendment
Answer: Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures; requires
probable cause
●● Exclusionary Rule
Answer: if evidence is obtained illegally, it will be suppressed at court
●● 5th Amendment
Answer: includes rights such as the right to a Grand Jury, Eminent
Domain, Double Jeopardy, Due Process, and Self-incrimination
