MARYLAND STATE LAW COMPREHENSIVE TEST
2026 TESTED QUESTIONS
◉ Proof beyond reasonable doubt. Answer: Minimum amount of
evidence needed to convict
◉ Reasonable Suspicious. Answer: facts and circumstances that
would lead a reasonable police officer based on training, knowledge,
and experience to believe a crime is being committed or was
committed
◉ No. Answer: Do you need a warrant if you have probably cause
someone committed a felony?
◉ Sources of criminal law. Answer: Case law: laws based on decided
cases, Terry v Ohio
Statutory Law: laws drafted by legislature
Common Law: English law carry overs
◉ The two highest courts in Maryland. Answer: The court of appeals
and court of special appeals
,◉ Actus Reus. Answer: The actual criminal act or omission of a
required act
◉ Mens Rhea. Answer: the mental state of a criminal mind
◉ What is a crime?. Answer: Prohibited conduct
◉ Who determines what is a crime?. Answer: General Assembly in
Maryland
◉ The elements of a crime. Answer: actus reus and mens rea
◉ What is Actus Reus. Answer: The act or the omission of an act
ex Breaking and entering is the actus reus of burglary
Hitting someone is the actus reus of 2nd deg assualt
◉ What is Mens Rea. Answer: state of mind or intent
Examples
Mens rea of 1st degree burglary is the intent to commit a crime of
violence or commit a crime of theft
◉ General Intent. Answer: The intent to do what the law prohibits
, It is not neccessary for the state to prove the defendant intended the
consequence
Ex
4th deg burglary - general intent to break and enter
◉ Specific Intent. Answer: The intent to accomplish the precise act
the law prohibits
State must prove the defendant intended for the consequences of his
or her actions to occur
Example
1st deg burglary - specific intent to commit theft or crime of violence
◉ Who issues search warrants, and who usually does arrest
warrants. Answer: Judges issue search warrants, Court
commissioners issue mostly arrest warrants
◉ Common Law Crimes. Answer: originated in case law of England
and American colonies prior to Revolution
Unless specifically repelled or changed by state, common law crimes
still exist
Max penalty - nothing that is cruel or unusual
2026 TESTED QUESTIONS
◉ Proof beyond reasonable doubt. Answer: Minimum amount of
evidence needed to convict
◉ Reasonable Suspicious. Answer: facts and circumstances that
would lead a reasonable police officer based on training, knowledge,
and experience to believe a crime is being committed or was
committed
◉ No. Answer: Do you need a warrant if you have probably cause
someone committed a felony?
◉ Sources of criminal law. Answer: Case law: laws based on decided
cases, Terry v Ohio
Statutory Law: laws drafted by legislature
Common Law: English law carry overs
◉ The two highest courts in Maryland. Answer: The court of appeals
and court of special appeals
,◉ Actus Reus. Answer: The actual criminal act or omission of a
required act
◉ Mens Rhea. Answer: the mental state of a criminal mind
◉ What is a crime?. Answer: Prohibited conduct
◉ Who determines what is a crime?. Answer: General Assembly in
Maryland
◉ The elements of a crime. Answer: actus reus and mens rea
◉ What is Actus Reus. Answer: The act or the omission of an act
ex Breaking and entering is the actus reus of burglary
Hitting someone is the actus reus of 2nd deg assualt
◉ What is Mens Rea. Answer: state of mind or intent
Examples
Mens rea of 1st degree burglary is the intent to commit a crime of
violence or commit a crime of theft
◉ General Intent. Answer: The intent to do what the law prohibits
, It is not neccessary for the state to prove the defendant intended the
consequence
Ex
4th deg burglary - general intent to break and enter
◉ Specific Intent. Answer: The intent to accomplish the precise act
the law prohibits
State must prove the defendant intended for the consequences of his
or her actions to occur
Example
1st deg burglary - specific intent to commit theft or crime of violence
◉ Who issues search warrants, and who usually does arrest
warrants. Answer: Judges issue search warrants, Court
commissioners issue mostly arrest warrants
◉ Common Law Crimes. Answer: originated in case law of England
and American colonies prior to Revolution
Unless specifically repelled or changed by state, common law crimes
still exist
Max penalty - nothing that is cruel or unusual
