Browse all practice questions for the Major Field Test (MFT) Criminal Justice Practice Exam. Search by topic, open any question and review its full explanation, then test yourself in the practice quiz.

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  • Which category is listed as a form of corruption involving violent acts by officers?
  • Which system involves private firms paying inmate labor and supervising the manufacturing process?
  • Which category of mens rea describes intentional, deliberate conduct?
  • Which act required prison-made goods conform to the regulations of states through which they were shipped?
  • The federal court system has jurisdiction over which type of cases?
  • Which device records the numbers dialed from a telephone as part of electronic surveillance?
  • Which entity holds the power of judicial review over lower court decisions?
  • Which term describes a policy that restricts judicial discretion by imposing predetermined penalties?
  • Which insanity rule asks whether the defendant knew what he or she was doing or knew that what he or she was doing was wrong?
  • Prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures.
  • Which model of sentencing holds that offenders deserve the punishment they receive based on the crime and its severity?
  • Which system involved taking prisoners outside of prison to work under armed guards?
  • An offense not yet completed; conduct that is a step toward the intended commission of another crime is called what?
  • Which mode describes rejects goals but adheres to the means?
  • What term refers to law made and enforced by administrative agencies at the federal or state level?
  • Which policing era is characterized by watchman style policing and order maintenance in lower-class neighborhoods?
  • Which concept holds that people seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain?
  • To make the victim whole again after victimization, which concept is described?
  • Which amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury?
  • If bail is denied and the defendant remains in jail before trial, this is called
  • Which amendment protects the right to a jury trial in civil cases?
  • The notion that individuals calculate whether the benefits of committing a crime outweigh the possible penalties is known as
  • What term describes the practice of sentencing offenders to prison, allowing probationary release, and enacting such release in surprise fashion?
  • Which amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures?
  • What term refers to the detailed presentence report that covers a defendant's personal and criminal history?
  • Which statement best describes the overall goal of the community-based treatment era?
  • Which statement best describes judicial review?
  • Which theoretical perspective studies social groups, social institutions, the arrangements of society, and social roles?
  • Which term best describes law derived from prior judicial decisions rather than statutes?
  • Which factor describes being forced to or intimidated into answering questions?
  • Which rule states that there may be no grounds for appeal when evidence is improperly introduced at trial?
  • Which amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms?
  • Which term describes the process of questioning prospective jurors to determine if they are unbiased and impartial?
  • Which law is defined as originating from usage and custom rather than statutory codes?
  • Which term describes acts illegal according to law but not inherently wrong?
  • Appellate jurisdiction is best defined as which of the following?
  • Which term embodies the concept of punishment being proportional to the crime and the offender's culpability, often described as 'Just Desserts'?
  • Appellate courts are defined as which type of courts?
  • Which sentence model involves a min and max term and aims to rehabilitate via general, unspecific sentences?
  • Which amendment reserves powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, to the States or the people?
  • Murder, rape, and shoplifting are examples of which type of crime?
  • The adversarial process in American criminal trials is characterized by which concept?
  • Which item is an advantage of probation and parole?
  • Pretrial release is best described as the release of an accused before or during prosecution upon promise to appear.
  • What term refers to the facts that show that a crime has occurred, commonly described as the body of the crime?
  • What is the main purpose of incapacitation?
  • Which description best fits a search incident to arrest?
  • Which of the following is NOT one of the six focal concerns?
  • Which framework links crime causation to rational choice and suggests punishment should deter future crime?
  • Which statement correctly contrasts consecutive and concurrent sentences?
  • What is the name of the 1974 federal statute requiring proceedings against a defendant in a federal criminal case begin within a specified period after indictment?
  • In the federal court system, which court is the highest body that interprets the Constitution and federal law?
  • What plea is used when the defendant does not wish to contest conviction?
  • Which term describes the belief that some people are born criminals due to evolution?
  • A writ issued from an appellate court for the purpose of obtaining from a lower court the record of its proceedings in a particular case.
  • Which category involves conduct that increases the probability of harm?
  • Under the Fifth Amendment, protection applies to statements made in which context?
  • Which principle holds that the offender's criminal history should objectively be taken into account in sentencing decisions?
  • What was the purpose of creating the US Court of Appeals?
  • Which amendment prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes?
  • What term refers to a jury that is isolated from the public during the course of a trial and deliberations?
  • Which statement best describes the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986?
  • Which condition exists when a group faces social change, uneven development, culture, maladaptiveness, disharmony, conflict, and lack of consensus?
  • Which act limited the interstate sale of prison-made goods in the 1930s?
  • Which concept ensures that the sentence aligns with the time actually served?
  • The era in which the Auburn system dominated, with enforced silence, is known as which era?
  • Which theory is associated with urban zoning and concentric zones around the city center?
  • Which term refers to the set of rules and processes governing criminal cases?
  • Which term refers to physical characteristics used to identify a criminal?
  • Which term refers to boot camp-style confinement that aims to produce a rapid deterrent effect, sometimes called shock incarceration?
  • What term describes the requirement that an actus reus and a mens rea occur together in time to convict?
  • Which system had goods produced for private businesses under prison supervision?
  • Which amendment states that rights not enumerated in the Constitution are retained by the people?
  • Which form of presentence report is a brief, abbreviated summary useful for sentencing?
  • Which is another advantage of probation and parole?
  • The service style policing described as reflecting the needs of the community and often used in wealth neighborhoods.
  • Which term describes the two-sided framework of prosecution against defense in American criminal trials?
  • Which amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?
  • Courts of limited jurisdiction are typically characterized by handling which types of cases?
  • Which option is an advantage of probation and parole?
  • Which term refers to the part of the law that specifies the methods used to enforce substantive law?
  • Appeals generally fall into which of the following categories?
  • Which amendment protects against self-incrimination in criminal proceedings?
  • Which type of deterrence seeks to prevent a particular offender from engaging in repeat criminality?
  • Which mode rejects goals and means and substitutes with own?
  • In the trial system, which court is typically described as having broad powers to hear many types of criminal cases?
  • Criminal appeals are usually heard by a panel of how many judges?
  • Which system produced goods only for use by the prison or other government agencies?
  • Failure to file taxes, when legally required, is an example of which type of crime?
  • The status of an offender conditionally released from prison by discretion of a paroling authority prior to the expiration of sentence.
  • Which is an advantage of probation and parole?
  • Which era is characterized by the use of indeterminate sentences and a belief in rehabilitation?
  • Which theory emphasizes the application of scientific techniques to the study of crime and criminals, with behavior viewed as determined?
  • Which goal of sentencing focuses on repairing harm to victims and the community?
  • In the preventive patrol framework, what technology is used to manage dispatch and responses?
  • Which system allowed prisoners to earn credits toward freedom by exhibiting positive behavior?
  • The Judiciary Act of 1789 established which three-part system of federal courts?
  • A criminal justice perspective that emphasizes individual rights at all stages of justice system processing.
  • Which of the following is a procedural defense commonly invoked to challenge government conduct in obtaining evidence or an arrest?
  • Which system granted early release or reduced time through earned behavior credits?
  • The intentional making of a false statement by a sworn witness in a judicial proceeding on a matter relevant to the case at hand is called what?
  • Concentric zone theory describes an urban model with a series of concentric zones around the central business district. How many zones are posited?
  • Which of the following is listed as a specific type of corruption?
  • Which school identifies the conscious and subconscious contents of the human psyche as major determinants of behavior?
  • Which criminological perspective views offensive and deviant behavior as the product of a dysfunctional personality?
  • Which sentencing model requires that sentences fall within a guideline range and that departures are justified in writing, with appellate review possible?
  • The Judiciary Act of 1891 is also known as what?
  • How are judges of the US Court of Appeals selected?
  • A True Bill indicates the grand jury has found sufficient evidence to indict. Which option represents this finding?
  • Which perspective emphasizes that criminal behavior has a physiological basis and focuses on the individual rather than the crime?
  • Which liability does not require mens rea?
  • Which term describes individuals who without legal authorization conduct a trial of an accused?
  • Which criminological school emphasizes free will and deterrence and holds that punishment should be certain, swift, and severe?
  • Which theory focuses on the crime and its consequences rather than the offender?
  • Which principle requires courts to adhere to prior rulings in similar cases?
  • What is the first step in the nine steps in the criminal justice process?
  • Which of the following is a listed goal of sentencing that focuses on repairing harm to victims and the community?
  • Which concept claims that personality traits can be inferred from bumps on the skull?
  • Which amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments?
  • Community policing developed; focus on integrating police with the community; officers encouraged to live within communities.
  • What term describes the guilty act element of a crime, including an action taken or a failure to act?
  • In the sequence of the nine steps, which step follows Arraignment?
  • The right to challenge a potential juror without giving a reason is called what?
  • Which term refers to circumstances that may reduce a defendant's blameworthiness?
  • Which amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition?
  • Which amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?
  • Which era described imprisonment as punishment with education, treatment, and work as luxuries?
  • Which act ended the industrial prison era by restricting interstate commerce in prison-made goods?
  • Which concept limits Fifth Amendment protection to criminal prosecutions and does not automatically apply to civil actions?
  • Release on Recognizance refers to what?
  • Which term describes the act of punishing a criminal offender because they deserve punishment proportional to the crime?
  • Which category describes being aware that the act could result in harm?
  • In the three-part federal court system established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, which court handles most federal crimes and disputes between citizens of different states?
  • What doctrine means standing by decided matters and following precedent?
  • Which statement best describes probation and parole in terms of rehabilitation opportunities?
  • Which term describes the use of boot camp-type prisons to impress on convicted offenders the realities of prison life?
  • Which act was designed to reauthorize and improve the program of block grants to states, temporarily assisting families in need and improving access to child care?
  • The primary operational strategy - provides quick response to calls, creates a visible presence with the intent of deterring crime, interrupt crimes in progress, enhance the publics sense of safety and security.
  • Which term denotes a system that imposes fixed penalties with little discretion by the judiciary?
  • Which term describes pursuing socially approved goals through normal, legitimate means?
  • Which system is used when prison industries produce goods exclusively for internal use or for government agencies?
  • Which criminological approach focuses on the misbehavior of lower-class youths and sees delinquency primarily as the result of social disorganization?
  • Which hearing occurs when the defendant is informed of the charges, rights, and asked to enter a plea?
  • Independent or proprietary commercial organizations that provide protective services to employers on a contractual basis.
  • Which of the following is a disadvantage of parole and probation?
  • Which statement best defines an emergency search?
  • Which presentence report is described as a verbal report to the court by the investigating officer?
  • Which act established the US Court of Appeals, creating nine appellate courts (one for each circuit) to relieve the Supreme Court's workload?
  • Evidence that requires a jury to infer conclusions from facts is called what?
  • The right to a jury trial, a public trial, a speedy trial, to confront witnesses, to compulsory process to obtain witnesses, to assistance of an attorney in all felony cases, to assistance of an attorney in misdemeanor cases.
  • Which term describes the area of police activity that stresses the need for the community and the police to work together effectively, and emphasizes the notion that the police derive their legitimacy from the community they serve?
  • Which act required prison-made goods to conform to state regulations prior to interstate shipment?
  • Original jurisdiction refers to which aspect of a court's authority?
  • Which act reorganized the federal court system, eliminated the Supreme Court's circuit court duties, and created 16 judgeships for the circuits?
  • Which term describes a pervasive condition of normlessness and a disjunction between approved goals and means?
  • In the nine steps of the criminal justice process, which step comes immediately after Preliminary hearing?
  • Which is the final step in the nine steps of the criminal justice process?
  • Which amendment extends due process and equal protection to state actions?
  • General deterrence seeks to prevent others from committing crimes similar to the one for which a particular offender is being sentenced by making an example of the person.
  • Which term describes acts illegal because law prohibits them, not because they are inherently wrong?
  • Which concept holds that individuals weigh pleasure against pain when deciding whether to commit a crime?
  • Which term describes acts that are inherently wrong, such as murder and rape?
  • Which system had industries owned entirely by prisons and handled the manufacture of goods from beginning to end?
  • Which sociological approach emphasizes demographics and geographics?
  • A precedent-setting court decision that produces substantial changes in both the understanding of the requirements of due process and in the practical day-to-day operations of the justice system.
  • Which term describes circumstances that make a crime more grave than the usual instance?
  • Which amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $20?
  • Which mode rejects both societal goals and the means to obtain them?
  • Two or more sentences imposed at the same time that are served in sequence with the other sentences.
  • Which principle holds that similar crimes should be punished with the same degree of severity, regardless of the social personal characteristics of the offenders?
  • Rehabilitation aims to do what?
  • Which concept identifies factors such as trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, and autonomy as influences on delinquency?
  • What is another advantage of probation and parole?
  • Which statement correctly contrasts reasonable suspicion with probable cause?
  • Which era is characterized by a focus on punishment and minimal rehabilitation?
  • Criminal cases typically begin in which type of court?
  • What writ directs bringing a detainee before a judge to determine the lawfulness of imprisonment?
  • Which policing style is described as enforcing the letter of the law with numerous arrests for all types of criminal behavior, while taking a laissez-faire approach to noncriminal behavior?
  • Which statement among the following is an advantage of probation and parole?
  • The era that occurred when citizens called for reform and removal of politics from law enforcement, with law enforcement pride in professional approach to fighting crime.
  • Which statement best defines common law?
  • Which term describes conditional release from prison before completion of sentence under supervision?
  • Which perspective emphasizes determinism and the use of scientific methods to explain crime?
  • Which term describes the authority of a court to review a decision from a lower court?
  • Which era focused on resocialization in supervised community settings since community programs were believed to be more effective than incarceration?
  • Which practice involves using social science methods to select jurors?
  • Which term describes private security personnel who work for corporate employers and secure private interests?
  • Which principle ensures the severity of punishment is proportional to the seriousness of the crime?
  • Which era viewed offenders as sick and curable?
  • Appellate review generally involves which action by the appellate court?
  • Which court provides the first level of appellate review for courts of limited jurisdiction?
  • Two or more sentences imposed at the same time for more than one offense and to be served at the same time.
  • Which case established the exclusionary rule prohibiting the use of illegally obtained evidence?
  • Which sentencing concept is a determinate scheme with no leeway and enumerated punishments for offenses or habitual offenders?
  • Which concept refers to the requirements governing how evidence is obtained and used to ensure due process?
  • Which criminological theory argues that crime results from a strain between culturally prescribed goals and legitimate means to achieve them?
  • Which term is not among the five stated goals of sentencing?
  • A sentence of imprisonment suspended and conditional freedom is granted to the defendant as long as the person meets certain conditions of behavior.
  • Crimes that involve an act prohibited by law and crimes that involve the failure to act when the law requires action are collectively known as which of the following?
  • What term describes attempts to pressure suspects to divulge information using subtle intimidation and control?
  • Which category describes failing to reasonably perceive substantial and unjustifiable risks?
  • Judges on the US Courts of Appeals typically serve for life.
  • Which concept indicates that the Fifth Amendment protection applies only in criminal situations and may not cover noncriminal actions?
  • Which theory describes delinquency as arising from a group with its own values and norms distinct from the wider culture?
  • Which statement describes an anticipatory warrant?
  • Which system involved private businesses paying for inmate labor and supervising the manufacturing?
  • Which practice uses correlation techniques from social sciences to gauge the likelihood that potential jurors will vote for conviction?
  • Which is another advantage of probation and parole?
  • Which device is used to determine the number from which a telephone call originates?
  • What term refers to the examination of a convicted offender's background prior to sentencing?
  • Which description correctly defines Concurrent sentences?
  • Which item is not listed as a use of force category?
  • Which principle holds that the frequency of a behavior can be increased or decreased through rewards, punishments, and association with stimuli?
  • Probable cause is defined as a set of facts and circumstances that would induce a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that a specified person has committed a specified crime.
  • Which option describes a warrant in criminal procedure?
  • Which term refers to an appeal filed before trial ends due to a ruling that could significantly impact the case?
  • In Merton's strain theory, which mode describes someone who accepts societal goals but rejects the approved means of obtaining them?
  • Which rule states that the defendant knew what they were doing was wrong but could not help himself or herself?
  • Which era featured prisoners serving as cheap labor while learning a trade?
  • Prohibits use of items obtained as a result of unreasonable search and seizure as evidence against a criminal defendant.
  • Prohibition against double jeopardy and privilege against forced self-incrimination.
  • Which procedure involves challenging a trial court's intermediate ruling via an appeal before the trial concludes?
  • Which amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, and press?
  • Which pairing is correct?
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