SCCJA Special Basic Study Guide EXAM
Questions and Answers 2026
Historical Events occurring between 1776 and 1791 that lead to decisions that lead
to the ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights - Correct answer-
Colonists declared independence from England, in order to create a central
government without the ability to become a tyranny. Strong versus Decentralized
form of government battle where the Bill of Rights came in.
First Amendment - Correct answer-Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
4th Amendment - Correct answer-The right of 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 searched.
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,6th Amendment - Correct answer-In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and
district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance
of counsel for his defense.
14th Amendment - Correct answer-All persons born or naturalized in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and
of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall
any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
This is the Due Process amendment
What is the separation of powers concept - Correct answer-concept that the
division of government responsibilities among the various branches- Legislative
(writes-makes the laws), Executive (Enforces the law), Judicial (Interprets the law)
What branch of government does law enforcement belong to - Correct answer-
Executive Branch (Enforce the law)
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,What are Peels Principles of Modern Law Enforcement - Correct answer-Principles
that are relevant for law enforcement to follow today. The big one- The ability of
the police to perform their duties is dependent on public approval. Otherwise some
others include remaining impartial, only use physical force to the extent necessary,
prevent crime is the basic mission
Recognize the importance of the South Carolina State constitution - Correct
answer-Identical concepts to the US Constitution however two differences: In
addition to the protections in the 4th amendment, and individual is also protected
against unreasonable invasions of privacy and in regards to the particularity
requirement, the information sought pursuant to a warrant be stated significantly
Function and organization of the US Supreme Court - Correct answer-The
SCOTUS is the court of last resort. There are 9 members of the court with a Chief
Justice.
What is "case law" - Correct answer-Written decision of appellate courts deciding
actual cases-- also known as precedent or common law
What are elements of an offense - Correct answer-elements, or key points that the
state must prove for every offense in order to obtain a conviction.
Structure of the US Court System - Correct answer-From Bottom to Top: U.S.
District Courts, US Court of Appeals, SCOTUS
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, Structure of the South Carolina Court system - Correct answer-Bottom to Top:
Summary Courts (Magistrate, Municipal, Probate Courts), Circuit Court (Common
pleas- CIVIL and General Sessions- CRIMINAL), Court of Appeals.
Also within are Family Court and Master-in-Equity court
How can a state case be reviewed in Federal Court - Correct answer-Cases may be
appealed to the US Supreme Court by petitioning for a Writ of Certiorari. This is
the ONLY way. Has to deal with a US constitution issue.
What are the origins of criminal law - Correct answer-Comes from Sumeria in
modern day Iraq
Where does common law come from - Correct answer-Court Decisions
Where does statutory law come from? - Correct answer-Legislatively created laws
What are the accused rights in the criminal trial - Correct answer-Right to a speedy
trial, a jury trial, in the county where the crime was committed, and to be
confronted by witnesses against him. Also entitled to counsel for the defense,
privilege against self incrimination, and a compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his behalf
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Questions and Answers 2026
Historical Events occurring between 1776 and 1791 that lead to decisions that lead
to the ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights - Correct answer-
Colonists declared independence from England, in order to create a central
government without the ability to become a tyranny. Strong versus Decentralized
form of government battle where the Bill of Rights came in.
First Amendment - Correct answer-Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
4th Amendment - Correct answer-The right of 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 searched.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,6th Amendment - Correct answer-In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and
district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance
of counsel for his defense.
14th Amendment - Correct answer-All persons born or naturalized in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and
of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall
any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
This is the Due Process amendment
What is the separation of powers concept - Correct answer-concept that the
division of government responsibilities among the various branches- Legislative
(writes-makes the laws), Executive (Enforces the law), Judicial (Interprets the law)
What branch of government does law enforcement belong to - Correct answer-
Executive Branch (Enforce the law)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,What are Peels Principles of Modern Law Enforcement - Correct answer-Principles
that are relevant for law enforcement to follow today. The big one- The ability of
the police to perform their duties is dependent on public approval. Otherwise some
others include remaining impartial, only use physical force to the extent necessary,
prevent crime is the basic mission
Recognize the importance of the South Carolina State constitution - Correct
answer-Identical concepts to the US Constitution however two differences: In
addition to the protections in the 4th amendment, and individual is also protected
against unreasonable invasions of privacy and in regards to the particularity
requirement, the information sought pursuant to a warrant be stated significantly
Function and organization of the US Supreme Court - Correct answer-The
SCOTUS is the court of last resort. There are 9 members of the court with a Chief
Justice.
What is "case law" - Correct answer-Written decision of appellate courts deciding
actual cases-- also known as precedent or common law
What are elements of an offense - Correct answer-elements, or key points that the
state must prove for every offense in order to obtain a conviction.
Structure of the US Court System - Correct answer-From Bottom to Top: U.S.
District Courts, US Court of Appeals, SCOTUS
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Structure of the South Carolina Court system - Correct answer-Bottom to Top:
Summary Courts (Magistrate, Municipal, Probate Courts), Circuit Court (Common
pleas- CIVIL and General Sessions- CRIMINAL), Court of Appeals.
Also within are Family Court and Master-in-Equity court
How can a state case be reviewed in Federal Court - Correct answer-Cases may be
appealed to the US Supreme Court by petitioning for a Writ of Certiorari. This is
the ONLY way. Has to deal with a US constitution issue.
What are the origins of criminal law - Correct answer-Comes from Sumeria in
modern day Iraq
Where does common law come from - Correct answer-Court Decisions
Where does statutory law come from? - Correct answer-Legislatively created laws
What are the accused rights in the criminal trial - Correct answer-Right to a speedy
trial, a jury trial, in the county where the crime was committed, and to be
confronted by witnesses against him. Also entitled to counsel for the defense,
privilege against self incrimination, and a compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his behalf
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
