SFO TEST 1 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Probable Cause - ANSWER Sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been
committed or that certain property is connected with a crime
Reasonable Suspicion - ANSWER That level of suspicion that would cause a reasonable person, under the
circumstances to believe that criminal activity has occurred or is occurring
Voluntary Encounters - ANSWER Level 1 encounter. Can not make demands and must be free/voluntary.
Knock and talks, talking to anyone on the street voluntarily.
When can an officer search for weapons? - ANSWER When they can articulate suspicion that the person
has weapons and poses a threat to the officer or others.
Detention or Stop - ANSWER A peace officer may stop any individual in a public place when the officer
has a reasonable suspicion to believe the individual has committed or is in the act of committing or is
attempting to commit a public offense and may demand the individual's name, address, date of birth,
and an explanation of the individual's actions.
Terry Stop - ANSWER Allows the police to briefly detain a person based on reasonable suspicion of
involvement in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than the probable cause which
is needed for an arrest. When police stop and search a pedestrian, this is commonly known as a stop and
frisk.
Demands during detainment - ANSWER Name
Address
DOB
Explanation for conduct
Time limits for detainment - ANSWER A reasonable amount of time
Depends on the complexity and
the seriousness of the crime
,Frisk - ANSWER Outer patdown of clothing
What is the purpose of a frisk? - ANSWER Officer Safety
When can an officer search for a weapon? - ANSWER When the officer reasonably believes he or any
other person is in danger.
Consent search - ANSWER A search based upon reasonable suspicion. Consent must be given by the
person who has legal authority of what may be.
Incidental to arrest - ANSWER Search is strictly justified by the circumstances for which the arrest was
made. Search may be made of the person and the area in which the person was.
Search warrant - ANSWER Judicial document authorizing police to search a person or place to obtain
evidence. Affidavit is submitted to a judge or magistrate to establish probable cause that the search will
yield evidence related to a crime
Plain view - ANSWER A search may be made if evidence of criminal activity can be seen without entry or
search ex: Smell Hear Sight Feel Taste
Exigent circumstances - ANSWER Also known as emergency conditions are circumstances that would
cause a reasonable officer to believe entry or search was necessary to prevent physical harm to officers
or others or; The destruction of relevant evidence or the escape of a suspect would occur if the search or
entry was not made
Search - ANSWER Does the citizen have a reasonable expectation of privacy? If yes that is a search and if
not then it is not a search.
Entering a home
Opening a door
Place GPS tracker
Opening car door
Taking blood or dna
, Looking at cell phone
4th Amendment - ANSWER 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.
Exclusionary Rule - ANSWER Evidence obtained through illegal conduct or by illegal means may be
suppressed and not allowed to be used in court
Superman Rule - ANSWER Officers can use any item or technology available to the general public to
enhance their senses. This includes flashlights, K-9s, binoculars. What an officer can see hear or smell
where the officer has a legal right to be.
Open field doctrine - ANSWER Permits police officers to enter and search a field without a warrant. May
include any unoccupied or undeveloped area outside of the curtilage of the home
Private Individuals - ANSWER Constitution only gives you privacy from government, not private
individuals. Unless a government actor cannot direct a private individual to violate someone's rights.
Level 1 Encounter - ANSWER Voluntary: A reasonable person in the suspect's possession would feel free
to leave
Level 2 Encounter - ANSWER Investigative Detention: Officer has reasonable articulable suspicion of
criminal activity. The suspect is not free to leave. These can only last long enough for the officer to
confirm or dispel their suspicion.
Reasonable Articulable Suspicion - ANSWER Reason to believe criminal activity may be afoot.
Level 3 Encounter - ANSWER Arrest: Officer must have probable cause of a criminal violation
Exceptions to the Search Warrant Requirement - ANSWER 1. Consent
2. Search incident to arrest
ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Probable Cause - ANSWER Sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been
committed or that certain property is connected with a crime
Reasonable Suspicion - ANSWER That level of suspicion that would cause a reasonable person, under the
circumstances to believe that criminal activity has occurred or is occurring
Voluntary Encounters - ANSWER Level 1 encounter. Can not make demands and must be free/voluntary.
Knock and talks, talking to anyone on the street voluntarily.
When can an officer search for weapons? - ANSWER When they can articulate suspicion that the person
has weapons and poses a threat to the officer or others.
Detention or Stop - ANSWER A peace officer may stop any individual in a public place when the officer
has a reasonable suspicion to believe the individual has committed or is in the act of committing or is
attempting to commit a public offense and may demand the individual's name, address, date of birth,
and an explanation of the individual's actions.
Terry Stop - ANSWER Allows the police to briefly detain a person based on reasonable suspicion of
involvement in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than the probable cause which
is needed for an arrest. When police stop and search a pedestrian, this is commonly known as a stop and
frisk.
Demands during detainment - ANSWER Name
Address
DOB
Explanation for conduct
Time limits for detainment - ANSWER A reasonable amount of time
Depends on the complexity and
the seriousness of the crime
,Frisk - ANSWER Outer patdown of clothing
What is the purpose of a frisk? - ANSWER Officer Safety
When can an officer search for a weapon? - ANSWER When the officer reasonably believes he or any
other person is in danger.
Consent search - ANSWER A search based upon reasonable suspicion. Consent must be given by the
person who has legal authority of what may be.
Incidental to arrest - ANSWER Search is strictly justified by the circumstances for which the arrest was
made. Search may be made of the person and the area in which the person was.
Search warrant - ANSWER Judicial document authorizing police to search a person or place to obtain
evidence. Affidavit is submitted to a judge or magistrate to establish probable cause that the search will
yield evidence related to a crime
Plain view - ANSWER A search may be made if evidence of criminal activity can be seen without entry or
search ex: Smell Hear Sight Feel Taste
Exigent circumstances - ANSWER Also known as emergency conditions are circumstances that would
cause a reasonable officer to believe entry or search was necessary to prevent physical harm to officers
or others or; The destruction of relevant evidence or the escape of a suspect would occur if the search or
entry was not made
Search - ANSWER Does the citizen have a reasonable expectation of privacy? If yes that is a search and if
not then it is not a search.
Entering a home
Opening a door
Place GPS tracker
Opening car door
Taking blood or dna
, Looking at cell phone
4th Amendment - ANSWER 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.
Exclusionary Rule - ANSWER Evidence obtained through illegal conduct or by illegal means may be
suppressed and not allowed to be used in court
Superman Rule - ANSWER Officers can use any item or technology available to the general public to
enhance their senses. This includes flashlights, K-9s, binoculars. What an officer can see hear or smell
where the officer has a legal right to be.
Open field doctrine - ANSWER Permits police officers to enter and search a field without a warrant. May
include any unoccupied or undeveloped area outside of the curtilage of the home
Private Individuals - ANSWER Constitution only gives you privacy from government, not private
individuals. Unless a government actor cannot direct a private individual to violate someone's rights.
Level 1 Encounter - ANSWER Voluntary: A reasonable person in the suspect's possession would feel free
to leave
Level 2 Encounter - ANSWER Investigative Detention: Officer has reasonable articulable suspicion of
criminal activity. The suspect is not free to leave. These can only last long enough for the officer to
confirm or dispel their suspicion.
Reasonable Articulable Suspicion - ANSWER Reason to believe criminal activity may be afoot.
Level 3 Encounter - ANSWER Arrest: Officer must have probable cause of a criminal violation
Exceptions to the Search Warrant Requirement - ANSWER 1. Consent
2. Search incident to arrest
