CLET Basic Law Enforcement Auxiliary
Exam Prep: Practice Questions with Detailed
Answer Explanations, Legal Principles,
Patrol Procedures & Professional Readiness
Topic 16: Domestic Violence
1. Domestic violence is best defined as:
A) Any argument between family members
B) A pattern of abusive behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control
over another in an intimate relationship
C) Physical fighting between strangers
D) Any disagreement between spouses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Domestic violence is about power and control, not just isolated incidents. It
includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse.
2. The "power and control wheel" is a tool used to:
A) Describe the legal process
B) Illustrate the various tactics abusers use to control victims (isolation, intimidation, economic
abuse, etc.)
C) Calculate use of force
D) Determine arrest decisions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The power and control wheel, developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention
Project, shows how physical violence is supported by other controlling behaviors.
3. Mandatory arrest laws for domestic violence generally require officers to:
A) Arrest the primary physical aggressor when probable cause exists
B) Arrest both parties
C) Offer mediation
D) Issue a citation only
, Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Mandatory or preferred arrest laws require or strongly encourage arrest of the
primary physical aggressor when probable cause of domestic assault exists.
4. The "primary physical aggressor" is determined by considering:
A) Who threw the first punch
B) The history of domestic violence, relative size, injuries, and whether self-defense was claimed
C) Who called police first
D) Who is male
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Officers look at prior domestic violence, severity of injuries, statements, defensive
injuries, and whether one party acted in self-defense.
5. A protective order (restraining order) violation is:
A) A civil matter only
B) A criminal offense in all states
C) Not enforceable by police
D) Only enforceable by the court
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Violation of a valid protective order is a criminal offense (usually misdemeanor or
felony depending on history and jurisdiction).
6. When serving a protective order, the officer should:
A) Explain the terms to the restrained person
B) Confiscate any firearms if required by law
C) Serve the order if the restrained person is present
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Officers typically must serve the order, explain it, and seize firearms if required
(under federal law or state statute).
, 7. The Lautenberg Amendment prohibits persons convicted of domestic violence
misdemeanors from:
A) Voting
B) Possessing firearms or ammunition
C) Getting a passport
D) Living in public housing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Lautenberg Amendment (1996) makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a
domestic violence misdemeanor to possess firearms or ammunition.
8. "Strangulation" in domestic violence is:
A) Less dangerous than a punch
B) A significant predictor of future homicide and is often charged as a felony
C) Not a crime in most states
D) Always charged as a misdemeanor
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Strangulation is a serious felony in many states. It is a major risk factor for later
domestic homicide.
9. The "Duluth Model" is:
A) A police pursuit tactic
B) A coordinated community response to domestic violence including law enforcement,
prosecution, and victim advocates
C) A type of firearm
D) A report writing system
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Duluth Model emphasizes a coordinated community response (police, courts,
probation, advocates) to hold abusers accountable and protect victims.
10. "Lethality assessment" in domestic violence calls helps officers:
A) Determine arrest
B) Identify victims at highest risk of being killed by their abuser using specific risk factors
Exam Prep: Practice Questions with Detailed
Answer Explanations, Legal Principles,
Patrol Procedures & Professional Readiness
Topic 16: Domestic Violence
1. Domestic violence is best defined as:
A) Any argument between family members
B) A pattern of abusive behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control
over another in an intimate relationship
C) Physical fighting between strangers
D) Any disagreement between spouses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Domestic violence is about power and control, not just isolated incidents. It
includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse.
2. The "power and control wheel" is a tool used to:
A) Describe the legal process
B) Illustrate the various tactics abusers use to control victims (isolation, intimidation, economic
abuse, etc.)
C) Calculate use of force
D) Determine arrest decisions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The power and control wheel, developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention
Project, shows how physical violence is supported by other controlling behaviors.
3. Mandatory arrest laws for domestic violence generally require officers to:
A) Arrest the primary physical aggressor when probable cause exists
B) Arrest both parties
C) Offer mediation
D) Issue a citation only
, Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Mandatory or preferred arrest laws require or strongly encourage arrest of the
primary physical aggressor when probable cause of domestic assault exists.
4. The "primary physical aggressor" is determined by considering:
A) Who threw the first punch
B) The history of domestic violence, relative size, injuries, and whether self-defense was claimed
C) Who called police first
D) Who is male
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Officers look at prior domestic violence, severity of injuries, statements, defensive
injuries, and whether one party acted in self-defense.
5. A protective order (restraining order) violation is:
A) A civil matter only
B) A criminal offense in all states
C) Not enforceable by police
D) Only enforceable by the court
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Violation of a valid protective order is a criminal offense (usually misdemeanor or
felony depending on history and jurisdiction).
6. When serving a protective order, the officer should:
A) Explain the terms to the restrained person
B) Confiscate any firearms if required by law
C) Serve the order if the restrained person is present
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Officers typically must serve the order, explain it, and seize firearms if required
(under federal law or state statute).
, 7. The Lautenberg Amendment prohibits persons convicted of domestic violence
misdemeanors from:
A) Voting
B) Possessing firearms or ammunition
C) Getting a passport
D) Living in public housing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Lautenberg Amendment (1996) makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a
domestic violence misdemeanor to possess firearms or ammunition.
8. "Strangulation" in domestic violence is:
A) Less dangerous than a punch
B) A significant predictor of future homicide and is often charged as a felony
C) Not a crime in most states
D) Always charged as a misdemeanor
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Strangulation is a serious felony in many states. It is a major risk factor for later
domestic homicide.
9. The "Duluth Model" is:
A) A police pursuit tactic
B) A coordinated community response to domestic violence including law enforcement,
prosecution, and victim advocates
C) A type of firearm
D) A report writing system
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Duluth Model emphasizes a coordinated community response (police, courts,
probation, advocates) to hold abusers accountable and protect victims.
10. "Lethality assessment" in domestic violence calls helps officers:
A) Determine arrest
B) Identify victims at highest risk of being killed by their abuser using specific risk factors
