CPD Criminal Law & Illinois Statutes 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Illinois law, 'felony murder' applies when a death occurs during the commission of which type of offense?
- Any criminal offense
- Only Class X felonies
- Forcible felonies such as robbery, burglary, or arson (Correct answer)
- Any offense involving a dangerous weapon
Correct answer: Forcible felonies such as robbery, burglary, or arson
720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(3) imposes first-degree murder liability when a death occurs during the commission of a forcible felony.
Question 2: In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a murder charge is:
- 7 years
- 10 years
- 20 years
- There is no statute of limitations for murder (Correct answer)
Correct answer: There is no statute of limitations for murder
Under 720 ILCS 5/3-5, there is no statute of limitations for first-degree murder in Illinois.
Question 3: Illinois law classifies 'aggravated vehicular hijacking' as a Class X felony when the offender:
- Threatens the driver without a weapon
- Is armed with a firearm during the commission of the offense (Correct answer)
- Takes a vehicle worth more than $10,000
- Commits the offense during nighttime hours
Correct answer: Is armed with a firearm during the commission of the offense
Under 720 ILCS 5/18-4, aggravated vehicular hijacking is elevated to a Class X felony when the offender is armed with a firearm.
Question 4: Under Illinois law, 'constructive possession' of a controlled substance means:
- Physically holding the substance in one's hand
- Being present in the same room where drugs are found
- Having control over the substance even without direct physical possession (Correct answer)
- Transporting drugs in a vehicle for someone else
Correct answer: Having control over the substance even without direct physical possession
Constructive possession exists when a person has knowledge of the substance and the ability to maintain control over it, even without physical possession.
Question 5: Illinois' 'concealed carry' law (430 ILCS 66) requires applicants to complete how many hours of firearms training?
- 8 hours
- 12 hours
- 16 hours (Correct answer)
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 16 hours
430 ILCS 66/75 requires a minimum of 16 hours of firearms training, including range time, to obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License.
Question 6: Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, a law enforcement officer responding to a domestic violence call:
- Must arrest only if a victim requests it
- Has discretion whether to make an arrest based solely on officer judgment
- Shall arrest the dominant aggressor if there is probable cause to believe violence occurred (Correct answer)
- May only issue a warning on a first offense
Correct answer: Shall arrest the dominant aggressor if there is probable cause to believe violence occurred
Under 750 ILCS 60/304, officers shall arrest the dominant aggressor when there is probable cause to believe a domestic violence offense occurred.
Question 7: Under Illinois law, what is the penalty enhancement when a crime is committed 'within 1,000 feet of a school'?
- The sentence is doubled automatically
- The offense is elevated one class higher than it would otherwise be (Correct answer)
- A mandatory minimum of 5 years is added
- The offense becomes a Class X felony regardless of underlying charge
Correct answer: The offense is elevated one class higher than it would otherwise be
Many Illinois drug and weapon offenses are elevated one class higher when committed within 1,000 feet of a school under enhanced penalty provisions.
CPD Criminal Law & Illinois Statutes 4
Under Illinois law, 'felony murder' applies when a death occurs during the commission of which type of offense?