UTAH POST SFO FINAL EXAM ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
FALL 2025/2026 UPDATE |
100% CORRECT
QUESTION 1:
During a traffic stop, an officer smells marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Under Utah law, th
is odor provides probable cause to:
A. Order the driver out and issue a citation only
B. Conduct a warrantless search of the vehicle for contraband
C. Search the driver’s home without consent
D. Seize the vehicle for forfeiture without proof of a crime
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
Probable cause based on odor of marijuana authorizes a vehicle search under the automobile ex
ception to the Fourth Amendment.
QUESTION 2:
Which constitutional amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures?
A. First
B. Second
C. Fourth
D. Fifth
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE:
The Fourth Amendment safeguards privacy and requires probable cause for warrants or searche
s.
QUESTION 3:
An officer uses force proportionate to the subject’s resistance and maintains compliance safely.
Which principle is illustrated?
A. Vicarious liability
B. Reasonableness standard
,C. Res ipsa loquitur
D. Strict scrutiny
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
The “objective reasonableness” standard guides force usage under Graham v. Connor (1989).
QUESTION 4:
Utah law classifies a traffic infraction as:
A. A felony punishable by prison time
B. A criminal act with mandatory jail
C. A civil offense punishable by fine only
D. A strict liability misdemeanor
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Infractions in Utah are civil violations penalized by fine, not incarceration.
QUESTION 5:
If a juvenile is taken into custody for a status offense, officers must:
A. Detain the juvenile with adult offenders
B. Notify juvenile intake or guardian for disposition
C. Book the juvenile into county jail
D. Issue a probation violation only
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
Juvenile justice standards require parental notice and intake screening for status cases.
QUESTION 6:
What is the primary purpose of the Miranda warning?
A. To authorize the search of a suspect’s vehicle
B. To advise suspects of their Fifth Amendment rights before custodial interrogation
,C. To document evidence for trial
D. To read charges during booking
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
Miranda v. Arizona (1966) protects against self-incrimination during police interrogation.
QUESTION 7:
An officer’s first duty upon arriving at a crime scene is to:
A. Collect evidence immediately
B. Render aid and ensure scene safety
C. Interview bystanders
D. Notify the media
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Preserving life and maintaining safety take precedence over evidence collection.
QUESTION 8:
Chain of custody documentation ensures:
A. Public access to reports
B. Evidence integrity from collection to presentation
C. Fast trial dates
D. Immunity from subpoena
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Documentation prevents tampering claims and preserves admissibility in court.
QUESTION 9:
During a domestic violence call, the suspect claims self-defense. The officer should:
A. Ignore statements until court
B. Collect all physical evidence and statements from both parties
C. Rely on personal judgment only
D. Detain both without probable cause
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Objective fact-finding supports charge decisions and victim protection.
QUESTION 10:
Which mental state means a person is aware of the nature of his conduct and intends to cause a
specific result?
A. Negligent
B. Reckless
C. Intentional
D. Criminally negligent
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE:
Intent requires a conscious objective to achieve a particular outcome (§ 76-2-103 Utah Code).
QUESTION 11:
An arrest warrant signed by a judge authorizes officers to:
A. Search any property owned by the suspect
B. Enter a specific location to arrest the named individual only
C. Detain all occupants of a building without probable cause
D. Question witnesses under oath
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: A warrant specifies the person and location for the arrest; its authority is limited to
executing the apprehension, not general search powers.
QUESTION 12:
An officer detains a suspicious subject for brief questioning about recent burglaries. This
detention is legally defined as a:
A. Consensual encounter
B. Traffic stop
C. Terry stop (investigatory detention)
D. Full custodial arrest
CORRECT ANSWER: C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
FALL 2025/2026 UPDATE |
100% CORRECT
QUESTION 1:
During a traffic stop, an officer smells marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Under Utah law, th
is odor provides probable cause to:
A. Order the driver out and issue a citation only
B. Conduct a warrantless search of the vehicle for contraband
C. Search the driver’s home without consent
D. Seize the vehicle for forfeiture without proof of a crime
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
Probable cause based on odor of marijuana authorizes a vehicle search under the automobile ex
ception to the Fourth Amendment.
QUESTION 2:
Which constitutional amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures?
A. First
B. Second
C. Fourth
D. Fifth
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE:
The Fourth Amendment safeguards privacy and requires probable cause for warrants or searche
s.
QUESTION 3:
An officer uses force proportionate to the subject’s resistance and maintains compliance safely.
Which principle is illustrated?
A. Vicarious liability
B. Reasonableness standard
,C. Res ipsa loquitur
D. Strict scrutiny
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
The “objective reasonableness” standard guides force usage under Graham v. Connor (1989).
QUESTION 4:
Utah law classifies a traffic infraction as:
A. A felony punishable by prison time
B. A criminal act with mandatory jail
C. A civil offense punishable by fine only
D. A strict liability misdemeanor
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Infractions in Utah are civil violations penalized by fine, not incarceration.
QUESTION 5:
If a juvenile is taken into custody for a status offense, officers must:
A. Detain the juvenile with adult offenders
B. Notify juvenile intake or guardian for disposition
C. Book the juvenile into county jail
D. Issue a probation violation only
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
Juvenile justice standards require parental notice and intake screening for status cases.
QUESTION 6:
What is the primary purpose of the Miranda warning?
A. To authorize the search of a suspect’s vehicle
B. To advise suspects of their Fifth Amendment rights before custodial interrogation
,C. To document evidence for trial
D. To read charges during booking
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
Miranda v. Arizona (1966) protects against self-incrimination during police interrogation.
QUESTION 7:
An officer’s first duty upon arriving at a crime scene is to:
A. Collect evidence immediately
B. Render aid and ensure scene safety
C. Interview bystanders
D. Notify the media
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Preserving life and maintaining safety take precedence over evidence collection.
QUESTION 8:
Chain of custody documentation ensures:
A. Public access to reports
B. Evidence integrity from collection to presentation
C. Fast trial dates
D. Immunity from subpoena
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Documentation prevents tampering claims and preserves admissibility in court.
QUESTION 9:
During a domestic violence call, the suspect claims self-defense. The officer should:
A. Ignore statements until court
B. Collect all physical evidence and statements from both parties
C. Rely on personal judgment only
D. Detain both without probable cause
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Objective fact-finding supports charge decisions and victim protection.
QUESTION 10:
Which mental state means a person is aware of the nature of his conduct and intends to cause a
specific result?
A. Negligent
B. Reckless
C. Intentional
D. Criminally negligent
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE:
Intent requires a conscious objective to achieve a particular outcome (§ 76-2-103 Utah Code).
QUESTION 11:
An arrest warrant signed by a judge authorizes officers to:
A. Search any property owned by the suspect
B. Enter a specific location to arrest the named individual only
C. Detain all occupants of a building without probable cause
D. Question witnesses under oath
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: A warrant specifies the person and location for the arrest; its authority is limited to
executing the apprehension, not general search powers.
QUESTION 12:
An officer detains a suspicious subject for brief questioning about recent burglaries. This
detention is legally defined as a:
A. Consensual encounter
B. Traffic stop
C. Terry stop (investigatory detention)
D. Full custodial arrest
CORRECT ANSWER: C
