SCCJA – Unit 1 Law Enforcement Foundations | 2025/2026 Exam Guide with 100+ Solved Questions | Constitutional Law, Civil Liability, Use of Force, Case Law | South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy

This SCCJA Unit 1 Study Guide for the 2025/2026 academic year contains 100+ exam-grade questions and answers designed to prepare South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy cadets for Unit 1 evaluations. Rated A+ and guaranteed for academic success, this guide is built around the foundational legal principles every law enforcement officer must know. Topics covered include: Constitutional law basics: Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Separation of Powers, and key amendments (1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 14th) Civil liability and legal exposure: Torts, negligence, municipal and direct liability, qualified immunity, and South Carolina Tort Claims Act Use of Force Doctrine: Defensive vs. control force, Graham v. Connor, Tennessee v. Garner, objective reasonableness, and use of deadly force Arrest and Search Procedures: Probable cause, Terry stops, arrest warrants, exigent circumstances, frisk limitations, plain view, exclusionary rule, and “fruit of the poisonous tree” Emergency operations and liability: Emergency vehicle operation standards, checkpoint safety (e.g., Brower v. Inyo, Reed v. Medlin), and pursuit considerations Police accountability: Qualified immunity thresholds, failure to train or supervise (e.g., Canton v. Harris), and civil suits against officers or agencies Real-world legal precedents such as Terry v. Ohio, Graham v. Connor, Tennessee v. Garner, Canton v. Harris, and others are woven into the content, making this guide essential for cadets and officers to understand both constitutional rights and lawful policing practices. This study guide is ideal for: SCCJA cadets enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) training Criminal justice students and instructors in South Carolina Field Training Officers (FTOs) and law enforcement coaches Anyone preparing for South Carolina state exams in law enforcement, patrol operations, or legal procedure Keywords: SCCJA, constitutional law, Unit 1 study guide, civil liability, use of force, probable cause, Terry stop, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, police immunity, emergency vehicle operations, Graham v Connor, Tennessee v Garner, Terry v Ohio, arrest procedures, exclusionary rule, South Carolina Tort Claims Act, law enforcement training, BLE cadet prep