SCCJA BLE Pre-Academy Cumulative Study
Guide – Notes Question With Answers 2026
BLOCK 1 - answer-Introduction to Criminal Law, Courts, Crimes, & Courtroom
Procedures, First Amendment, Basic Patrol Operations, Child Abuse, Traffic Law,
Strategies of Arrest, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, and OC Spray Utilization.
Articles of the Constitution - answer-Article I - The Legislative Branch. The principal
mission of the legislative body is to make laws.
Article II - The Executive Branch.
Article III - The Judicial Branch.
Article IV - Relationship between the States
Article V - Congress and States can amend Constitution.
Article VI - Laws of USA. Supreme Law of the Land
Article VII - 9/13 states needed to ratify
What is the yearly term of the Supreme Court? - answer-Begins first Monday of
October. Last opinions issued late June or early July
Common Law vs. Statutory Law - answer-Common Law - Court decisions
Statutory Law - Legislatively created laws
Case Law/Common Law - answer-The body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges
deciding issues before them.
Binding Case Law - answer-Mandatory for a court to follow. All U.S. Supreme Court
Decisions are binding for all Federal and State Courts.
Persuasive Case Law - answer-Only entitled to careful respect and consideration
SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals decisions - answer-Are binding on all
lower courts.
Summary Court Judge Decisions - answer-Decisions made by one Summary Court
Judge are not binding on one another.
,Supreme Court Published vs. Unpublished Decisions - answer-Only published opinions
can serve as precedent.
Unpublished opinions are only binding to the parties in which the particular case is
issued for.
Sources of legal information in SC Law - answer-SC Code of Laws Annotated
Opinions of the SC Supreme Court and SC Supreme Court of Appeals
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
US Supreme Court
When was the Bill of Rights Proposed? - answer-September 25, 1789
When was the Bill of Rights Ratified? - answer-December 15, 1791
When and Where was the US Constitution Started? - answer-May 25th, 1787
Independence Hall Philadelphia Pennsylvania
When was the Constitution signed? - answer-September 17, 1787
When was the Constitution Ratified? - answer-June 21, 1788
When was the US Congress started? - answer-March 4th 1789 the Confederation
Congress became the Congressional Congress.
Fourth Amendment - answer-SEARCH and SEIZURE - The right of the people to be
secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Abuse Registries - answer-DSS Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect. Perpetrators of
child abuse/neglect entered into the system by court order. DSS Maintains the system.
Sex Offender Registry - Maintained by SC and SLED. Done through NCIC
SC Section 56-1-10 defines Highway as? - answer-Highway means the entire width
between the boundary line of every way publicly maintained when any part is open to
the use of the public for vehicular travel.
SC Section 56-5-460 defines Roadway as? - answer-That portion of a highway
improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder or
berm
,Protected Speech Cases for First Amendment towards LEO's - answer-State vs Perkins
- 1991 - Raised his voice at officers.
Houston Vs Hill - 1987 - The 1st Amendment protects a significant amount of criticism
and challenges directed and LEO's
State vs Bailey - 2006 - No fighting words used.
What are the three elements of successful arrest planning? - answer-SSS
Speed - Once decision to arrest is made, move as quickly but safely as needed to
maintain surprise.
Surprise - Never telegraph intentions. If probable cause exists for an arrest, than arrest.
Safety / Survival - Seek tactical advantages while putting suspect at a disadvantage.
Contact Officer - answer-The primary officer on a call. Handles all communication,
handcuffing, and searches. First officer to approach.
Cover Officer - answer-Protects Contact Officer by establishing a force presence.
Covers the threat. Discourages Escape attempts. Cover officer addresses CASE.
What are the Three Stages of an Arrest? - answer-APC
Approach, Position, Control
Three Stages of an Arrest - Approach - answer-Search for the suspect en-route. Use
cover and concealment. Make a visual search of suspect for weapons and body
language.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Position - answer-Reactionary Gap & Triangulation. Use
Cover and Concealment. Place suspect in a disadvantageous position.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Control - answer-Attitude is everything! Challenge first. This
takes the initiative away from the suspect. Give clear and concise commands. Be
confident and forceful, but not overly aggressive or a hotdog. Avoid the use of slang
terms, profanity, sexist or racist comments.
What are the three types of searches to a person? - answer-Protective Search - AKA
Frisk / Pat Down / Terry Search. Non arrest, temporary detainment. Must be able to
articulate suspicion for search.
Search incident to arrest - AKA Field Search. Always handcuff subject. Use 50/50
Method. Search from the rear.
, Strip Search - Only as a result of arrest. Must have justification to do so.
Requirements for Cavity Search - answer-Requires search warrant. Done by medical
professional.
14th Amendment - answer-DUE PROCESS - The conduct of legal proceedings
according to established rules and principles for the protection and enforcement of
private rights. Including notice, and the right to a fair hearing before a tribunal with the
power to decide a case.
14th Amendment and Due Process - answer-Made the Bill of Rights applicable to the
states. Brought uniformity in the application of Due Process. Every citizen of every State
is a US Citizen. All US Citizens set the protections of the Bill of Rights
Elements of an Offense - answer-Key points of a crime that the state bears the burden
of proving. State must provide proof of each and every element of a crime to convict
Fighting Words - answer-Words that, "by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to
incite an immediate breach of peace." Fighting words are not subject to the restrictions
of the First Amendment.
Critical Elements of Proof - answer-Jurisdiction
ID of the Defendant
Physical Action (Actus Reus)
Mental Intent (Mens Rea)
Criminal Elements of Proof - Jurisdiction - answer-Proof the crime happened at a
location under the court's jurisdiction.
Criminal Elements of Proof - ID - answer-Proof that the defendant is actually the person
who committed the crime.
Criminal Elements of Proof - Actus Reus - answer-Proof that the defendant committed
the necessary actions to make up the crime.
Criminal Elements of Proof - Mens Rea - answer-Proof that the defendant had the right
mental intent that makes up part of the crime.
Double Jeopardy - answer-The fact of being prosecuted or sentenced twice for
substantially the same offense.
When is Double Jeopardy attached during a Jury Trial? - answer-When Jury is sworn in.
Guide – Notes Question With Answers 2026
BLOCK 1 - answer-Introduction to Criminal Law, Courts, Crimes, & Courtroom
Procedures, First Amendment, Basic Patrol Operations, Child Abuse, Traffic Law,
Strategies of Arrest, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, and OC Spray Utilization.
Articles of the Constitution - answer-Article I - The Legislative Branch. The principal
mission of the legislative body is to make laws.
Article II - The Executive Branch.
Article III - The Judicial Branch.
Article IV - Relationship between the States
Article V - Congress and States can amend Constitution.
Article VI - Laws of USA. Supreme Law of the Land
Article VII - 9/13 states needed to ratify
What is the yearly term of the Supreme Court? - answer-Begins first Monday of
October. Last opinions issued late June or early July
Common Law vs. Statutory Law - answer-Common Law - Court decisions
Statutory Law - Legislatively created laws
Case Law/Common Law - answer-The body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges
deciding issues before them.
Binding Case Law - answer-Mandatory for a court to follow. All U.S. Supreme Court
Decisions are binding for all Federal and State Courts.
Persuasive Case Law - answer-Only entitled to careful respect and consideration
SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals decisions - answer-Are binding on all
lower courts.
Summary Court Judge Decisions - answer-Decisions made by one Summary Court
Judge are not binding on one another.
,Supreme Court Published vs. Unpublished Decisions - answer-Only published opinions
can serve as precedent.
Unpublished opinions are only binding to the parties in which the particular case is
issued for.
Sources of legal information in SC Law - answer-SC Code of Laws Annotated
Opinions of the SC Supreme Court and SC Supreme Court of Appeals
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
US Supreme Court
When was the Bill of Rights Proposed? - answer-September 25, 1789
When was the Bill of Rights Ratified? - answer-December 15, 1791
When and Where was the US Constitution Started? - answer-May 25th, 1787
Independence Hall Philadelphia Pennsylvania
When was the Constitution signed? - answer-September 17, 1787
When was the Constitution Ratified? - answer-June 21, 1788
When was the US Congress started? - answer-March 4th 1789 the Confederation
Congress became the Congressional Congress.
Fourth Amendment - answer-SEARCH and SEIZURE - The right of the people to be
secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Abuse Registries - answer-DSS Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect. Perpetrators of
child abuse/neglect entered into the system by court order. DSS Maintains the system.
Sex Offender Registry - Maintained by SC and SLED. Done through NCIC
SC Section 56-1-10 defines Highway as? - answer-Highway means the entire width
between the boundary line of every way publicly maintained when any part is open to
the use of the public for vehicular travel.
SC Section 56-5-460 defines Roadway as? - answer-That portion of a highway
improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder or
berm
,Protected Speech Cases for First Amendment towards LEO's - answer-State vs Perkins
- 1991 - Raised his voice at officers.
Houston Vs Hill - 1987 - The 1st Amendment protects a significant amount of criticism
and challenges directed and LEO's
State vs Bailey - 2006 - No fighting words used.
What are the three elements of successful arrest planning? - answer-SSS
Speed - Once decision to arrest is made, move as quickly but safely as needed to
maintain surprise.
Surprise - Never telegraph intentions. If probable cause exists for an arrest, than arrest.
Safety / Survival - Seek tactical advantages while putting suspect at a disadvantage.
Contact Officer - answer-The primary officer on a call. Handles all communication,
handcuffing, and searches. First officer to approach.
Cover Officer - answer-Protects Contact Officer by establishing a force presence.
Covers the threat. Discourages Escape attempts. Cover officer addresses CASE.
What are the Three Stages of an Arrest? - answer-APC
Approach, Position, Control
Three Stages of an Arrest - Approach - answer-Search for the suspect en-route. Use
cover and concealment. Make a visual search of suspect for weapons and body
language.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Position - answer-Reactionary Gap & Triangulation. Use
Cover and Concealment. Place suspect in a disadvantageous position.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Control - answer-Attitude is everything! Challenge first. This
takes the initiative away from the suspect. Give clear and concise commands. Be
confident and forceful, but not overly aggressive or a hotdog. Avoid the use of slang
terms, profanity, sexist or racist comments.
What are the three types of searches to a person? - answer-Protective Search - AKA
Frisk / Pat Down / Terry Search. Non arrest, temporary detainment. Must be able to
articulate suspicion for search.
Search incident to arrest - AKA Field Search. Always handcuff subject. Use 50/50
Method. Search from the rear.
, Strip Search - Only as a result of arrest. Must have justification to do so.
Requirements for Cavity Search - answer-Requires search warrant. Done by medical
professional.
14th Amendment - answer-DUE PROCESS - The conduct of legal proceedings
according to established rules and principles for the protection and enforcement of
private rights. Including notice, and the right to a fair hearing before a tribunal with the
power to decide a case.
14th Amendment and Due Process - answer-Made the Bill of Rights applicable to the
states. Brought uniformity in the application of Due Process. Every citizen of every State
is a US Citizen. All US Citizens set the protections of the Bill of Rights
Elements of an Offense - answer-Key points of a crime that the state bears the burden
of proving. State must provide proof of each and every element of a crime to convict
Fighting Words - answer-Words that, "by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to
incite an immediate breach of peace." Fighting words are not subject to the restrictions
of the First Amendment.
Critical Elements of Proof - answer-Jurisdiction
ID of the Defendant
Physical Action (Actus Reus)
Mental Intent (Mens Rea)
Criminal Elements of Proof - Jurisdiction - answer-Proof the crime happened at a
location under the court's jurisdiction.
Criminal Elements of Proof - ID - answer-Proof that the defendant is actually the person
who committed the crime.
Criminal Elements of Proof - Actus Reus - answer-Proof that the defendant committed
the necessary actions to make up the crime.
Criminal Elements of Proof - Mens Rea - answer-Proof that the defendant had the right
mental intent that makes up part of the crime.
Double Jeopardy - answer-The fact of being prosecuted or sentenced twice for
substantially the same offense.
When is Double Jeopardy attached during a Jury Trial? - answer-When Jury is sworn in.
