Criminal Law WGU Fast-Track Framework:
OA Scenario Analysis, PA Submission
Strategy, Competency Prioritization & High-
Impact Study Method (2026–2027)
Description
The WGU Fast-Track Framework is a comprehensive and
strategically designed study resource created for students
at Western Governors University (WGU) who want to
progress through their courses with speed, clarity, and
confidence. Built around WGU’s competency-based
education model, this guide focuses on helping you
identify exactly what is required to pass and how to
approach assessments in the most efficient way possible.
Unlike traditional study materials that often lead to
overstudying and confusion, this framework is designed
to help you prioritize, apply, and execute. It provides a
clear system that allows you to focus on high-impact
areas, understand assessment expectations, and perform
effectively in both Objective Assessments (OA) and
Performance Assessments (PA).
,Section 1: Foundations & General Principles (1–20)
1. The presumption of innocence means:
a) The defendant must prove innocence
b) The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
c) The judge decides guilt
d) The defendant is assumed guilty until proven innocent
2. Actus reus refers to:
a) The guilty mind
b) The guilty act
c) The defense of insanity
d) The burden of proof
3. Mens rea refers to:
a) The guilty act
b) The guilty mind or intent
c) A type of punishment
d) A procedural rule
4. Which standard of proof applies in criminal cases?
a) Preponderance of the evidence
b) Clear and convincing evidence
c) Beyond a reasonable doubt
d) Probable cause
5. A strict liability crime requires:
a) Specific intent
b) General intent
c) No proof of mens rea for at least one element
d) Recklessness
6. Inchoate offenses include:
a) Murder
b) Attempt, conspiracy, solicitation
c) Theft
d) Assault
, 7. The principle of legality requires that:
a) No punishment without law
b) Judges create crimes
c) Retroactive laws are allowed
d) All crimes are felonies
8. A felony is generally defined as a crime punishable by:
a) Fine only
b) Less than one year in jail
c) More than one year in prison or death
d) Community service
9. A misdemeanor is typically punishable by:
a) Death
b) More than one year in prison
c) Up to one year in jail, often fines
d) Life imprisonment
10. The burden of proof in a criminal trial rests on:
a) The defendant
b) The prosecution
c) The judge
d) The jury
11. Double jeopardy prohibits:
a) Trying a person twice for the same offense after acquittal
b) Two witnesses testifying
c) Two charges in one trial
d) Civil and criminal cases
12. An ex post facto law:
a) Is constitutional
b) Criminalizes conduct retroactively
c) Helps the defendant
d) Is always civil
13. The corpus delicti of a crime means:
a) The body of the victim
b) The proof that a crime occurred
OA Scenario Analysis, PA Submission
Strategy, Competency Prioritization & High-
Impact Study Method (2026–2027)
Description
The WGU Fast-Track Framework is a comprehensive and
strategically designed study resource created for students
at Western Governors University (WGU) who want to
progress through their courses with speed, clarity, and
confidence. Built around WGU’s competency-based
education model, this guide focuses on helping you
identify exactly what is required to pass and how to
approach assessments in the most efficient way possible.
Unlike traditional study materials that often lead to
overstudying and confusion, this framework is designed
to help you prioritize, apply, and execute. It provides a
clear system that allows you to focus on high-impact
areas, understand assessment expectations, and perform
effectively in both Objective Assessments (OA) and
Performance Assessments (PA).
,Section 1: Foundations & General Principles (1–20)
1. The presumption of innocence means:
a) The defendant must prove innocence
b) The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
c) The judge decides guilt
d) The defendant is assumed guilty until proven innocent
2. Actus reus refers to:
a) The guilty mind
b) The guilty act
c) The defense of insanity
d) The burden of proof
3. Mens rea refers to:
a) The guilty act
b) The guilty mind or intent
c) A type of punishment
d) A procedural rule
4. Which standard of proof applies in criminal cases?
a) Preponderance of the evidence
b) Clear and convincing evidence
c) Beyond a reasonable doubt
d) Probable cause
5. A strict liability crime requires:
a) Specific intent
b) General intent
c) No proof of mens rea for at least one element
d) Recklessness
6. Inchoate offenses include:
a) Murder
b) Attempt, conspiracy, solicitation
c) Theft
d) Assault
, 7. The principle of legality requires that:
a) No punishment without law
b) Judges create crimes
c) Retroactive laws are allowed
d) All crimes are felonies
8. A felony is generally defined as a crime punishable by:
a) Fine only
b) Less than one year in jail
c) More than one year in prison or death
d) Community service
9. A misdemeanor is typically punishable by:
a) Death
b) More than one year in prison
c) Up to one year in jail, often fines
d) Life imprisonment
10. The burden of proof in a criminal trial rests on:
a) The defendant
b) The prosecution
c) The judge
d) The jury
11. Double jeopardy prohibits:
a) Trying a person twice for the same offense after acquittal
b) Two witnesses testifying
c) Two charges in one trial
d) Civil and criminal cases
12. An ex post facto law:
a) Is constitutional
b) Criminalizes conduct retroactively
c) Helps the defendant
d) Is always civil
13. The corpus delicti of a crime means:
a) The body of the victim
b) The proof that a crime occurred
