Criminal Law Flashcards
7 cards from real MTA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Criminal Law flashcards as text
Under the common law, which of the following crimes required specific intent?
Answer: Burglary
Burglary is a specific intent crime because it requires intent to commit a crime inside the structure at the time of unlawful entry.
A police officer uses force to subdue a combative suspect. To be legally justified, that force must be:
Answer: Proportional to the threat presented
The Fourth Amendment and Graham v. Connor require that force used by officers be objectively reasonable and proportional to the threat faced.
The mens rea element of 'recklessness' under the MPC requires that the defendant:
Answer: Be aware of and consciously disregard a substantial and unjustifiable risk
Recklessness requires conscious disregard of a substantial and unjustifiable risk — the defendant is aware of the risk but proceeds anyway.
A person threatens to expose embarrassing photos of a coworker unless the coworker pays $500. This is an example of:
Answer: Extortion (blackmail)
Extortion (blackmail) involves obtaining property through threats of harm, exposure, or other adverse consequences — force on the person is not required.
Which of the following statements about accomplice liability is correct?
Answer: An accomplice is liable for the crimes of the principal if they aided or encouraged them
Accomplice liability attaches when a person aids, abets, or encourages a principal offender — physical presence at the scene is not required.
Which element is required to prove criminal conspiracy?
Answer: An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime
Conspiracy requires an agreement between two or more persons to commit an unlawful act; many jurisdictions also require an overt act in furtherance.
A suspect is arrested and tells police they want a lawyer. Officers continue questioning without providing counsel. Any statement obtained is likely:
Answer: Inadmissible under the Fifth and Sixth Amendment as established in Miranda
Once a suspect invokes the right to counsel, all questioning must cease; any statement obtained in violation of this rule is suppressed under Miranda.