SCCJA BLE Pre-Academy Cumulative Study
Guide – Notes Question With Answers 2026
BLOCK 1 - ANSWER- Introduction to Criminal Law, Courts, Crimes, & Courtroom Procedures, First
Amendment, Basic Patrol Operations, Child Abuse, Traffic Law, Strategies of Arrest, Mental Illness,
Sexual Assault, and OC Spray Utilization.
Articles of the Constitution - ANSWER- Article I - The Legislative Branch. The principal mission of the
legislative body is to make laws.
Article II - The Executive Branch.
Article III - The Judicial Branch.
Article IV - Relationship between the States
Article V - Congress and States can amend Constitution.
Article VI - Laws of USA. Supreme Law of the Land
Article VII - 9/13 states needed to ratify
What is the yearly term of the Supreme Court? - ANSWER- Begins first Monday of October. Last
opinions issued late June or early July
Common Law vs. Statutory Law - ANSWER- Common Law - Court decisions
Statutory Law - Legislatively created laws
Case Law/Common Law - ANSWER- The body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges deciding
issues before them.
Binding Case Law - ANSWER- Mandatory for a court to follow. All U.S. Supreme Court Decisions are
binding for all Federal and State Courts.
Persuasive Case Law - ANSWER- Only entitled to careful respect and consideration
SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals decisions - ANSWER- Are binding on all lower courts.
Summary Court Judge Decisions - ANSWER- Decisions made by one Summary Court Judge are not
binding on one another.
Supreme Court Published vs. Unpublished Decisions - ANSWER- Only published opinions can serve
as precedent.
Unpublished opinions are only binding to the parties in which the particular case is issued for.
Sources of legal information in SC Law - ANSWER- SC Code of Laws Annotated
,Opinions of the SC Supreme Court and SC Supreme Court of Appeals
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
US Supreme Court
When was the Bill of Rights Proposed? - ANSWER- September 25, 1789
When was the Bill of Rights Ratified? - ANSWER- December 15, 1791
When and Where was the US Constitution Started? - ANSWER- May 25th, 1787 Independence Hall
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
When was the Constitution signed? - ANSWER- September 17, 1787
When was the Constitution Ratified? - ANSWER- June 21, 1788
When was the US Congress started? - ANSWER- March 4th 1789 the Confederation Congress
became the Congressional Congress.
Fourth Amendment - ANSWER- SEARCH and SEIZURE - The right of the 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 seized.
Abuse Registries - ANSWER- DSS Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect. Perpetrators of child
abuse/neglect entered into the system by court order. DSS Maintains the system.
Sex Offender Registry - Maintained by SC and SLED. Done through NCIC
SC Section 56-1-10 defines Highway as? - ANSWER- Highway means the entire width between the
boundary line of every way publicly maintained when any part is open to the use of the public for
vehicular travel.
SC Section 56-5-460 defines Roadway as? - ANSWER- That portion of a highway improved,
designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder or berm
Protected Speech Cases for First Amendment towards LEO's - ANSWER- State vs Perkins - 1991 -
Raised his voice at officers.
Houston Vs Hill - 1987 - The 1st Amendment protects a significant amount of criticism and challenges
directed and LEO's
State vs Bailey - 2006 - No fighting words used.
What are the three elements of successful arrest planning? - ANSWER- SSS
Speed - Once decision to arrest is made, move as quickly but safely as needed to maintain surprise.
Surprise - Never telegraph intentions. If probable cause exists for an arrest, than arrest.
Safety / Survival - Seek tactical advantages while putting suspect at a disadvantage.
, Contact Officer - ANSWER- The primary officer on a call. Handles all communication, handcuffing,
and searches. First officer to approach.
Cover Officer - ANSWER- Protects Contact Officer by establishing a force presence. Covers the
threat. Discourages Escape attempts. Cover officer addresses CASE.
What are the Three Stages of an Arrest? - ANSWER- APC
Approach, Position, Control
Three Stages of an Arrest - Approach - ANSWER- Search for the suspect en-route. Use cover and
concealment. Make a visual search of suspect for weapons and body language.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Position - ANSWER- Reactionary Gap & Triangulation. Use Cover and
Concealment. Place suspect in a disadvantageous position.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Control - ANSWER- Attitude is everything! Challenge first. This takes the
initiative away from the suspect. Give clear and concise commands. Be confident and forceful, but not
overly aggressive or a hotdog. Avoid the use of slang terms, profanity, sexist or racist comments.
What are the three types of searches to a person? - ANSWER- Protective Search - AKA Frisk / Pat
Down / Terry Search. Non arrest, temporary detainment. Must be able to articulate suspicion for
search.
Search incident to arrest - AKA Field Search. Always handcuff subject. Use 50/50 Method. Search
from the rear.
Strip Search - Only as a result of arrest. Must have justification to do so.
Requirements for Cavity Search - ANSWER- Requires search warrant. Done by medical professional.
14th Amendment - ANSWER- DUE PROCESS - The conduct of legal proceedings according to
established rules and principles for the protection and enforcement of private rights. Including notice,
and the right to a fair hearing before a tribunal with the power to decide a case.
14th Amendment and Due Process - ANSWER- Made the Bill of Rights applicable to the states.
Brought uniformity in the application of Due Process. Every citizen of every State is a US Citizen. All
US Citizens set the protections of the Bill of Rights
Elements of an Offense - ANSWER- Key points of a crime that the state bears the burden of proving.
State must provide proof of each and every element of a crime to convict
Fighting Words - ANSWER- Words that, "by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an
immediate breach of peace." Fighting words are not subject to the restrictions of the First
Amendment.
Critical Elements of Proof - ANSWER- Jurisdiction
ID of the Defendant
Physical Action (Actus Reus)
Guide – Notes Question With Answers 2026
BLOCK 1 - ANSWER- Introduction to Criminal Law, Courts, Crimes, & Courtroom Procedures, First
Amendment, Basic Patrol Operations, Child Abuse, Traffic Law, Strategies of Arrest, Mental Illness,
Sexual Assault, and OC Spray Utilization.
Articles of the Constitution - ANSWER- Article I - The Legislative Branch. The principal mission of the
legislative body is to make laws.
Article II - The Executive Branch.
Article III - The Judicial Branch.
Article IV - Relationship between the States
Article V - Congress and States can amend Constitution.
Article VI - Laws of USA. Supreme Law of the Land
Article VII - 9/13 states needed to ratify
What is the yearly term of the Supreme Court? - ANSWER- Begins first Monday of October. Last
opinions issued late June or early July
Common Law vs. Statutory Law - ANSWER- Common Law - Court decisions
Statutory Law - Legislatively created laws
Case Law/Common Law - ANSWER- The body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges deciding
issues before them.
Binding Case Law - ANSWER- Mandatory for a court to follow. All U.S. Supreme Court Decisions are
binding for all Federal and State Courts.
Persuasive Case Law - ANSWER- Only entitled to careful respect and consideration
SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals decisions - ANSWER- Are binding on all lower courts.
Summary Court Judge Decisions - ANSWER- Decisions made by one Summary Court Judge are not
binding on one another.
Supreme Court Published vs. Unpublished Decisions - ANSWER- Only published opinions can serve
as precedent.
Unpublished opinions are only binding to the parties in which the particular case is issued for.
Sources of legal information in SC Law - ANSWER- SC Code of Laws Annotated
,Opinions of the SC Supreme Court and SC Supreme Court of Appeals
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
US Supreme Court
When was the Bill of Rights Proposed? - ANSWER- September 25, 1789
When was the Bill of Rights Ratified? - ANSWER- December 15, 1791
When and Where was the US Constitution Started? - ANSWER- May 25th, 1787 Independence Hall
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
When was the Constitution signed? - ANSWER- September 17, 1787
When was the Constitution Ratified? - ANSWER- June 21, 1788
When was the US Congress started? - ANSWER- March 4th 1789 the Confederation Congress
became the Congressional Congress.
Fourth Amendment - ANSWER- SEARCH and SEIZURE - The right of the 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 seized.
Abuse Registries - ANSWER- DSS Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect. Perpetrators of child
abuse/neglect entered into the system by court order. DSS Maintains the system.
Sex Offender Registry - Maintained by SC and SLED. Done through NCIC
SC Section 56-1-10 defines Highway as? - ANSWER- Highway means the entire width between the
boundary line of every way publicly maintained when any part is open to the use of the public for
vehicular travel.
SC Section 56-5-460 defines Roadway as? - ANSWER- That portion of a highway improved,
designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder or berm
Protected Speech Cases for First Amendment towards LEO's - ANSWER- State vs Perkins - 1991 -
Raised his voice at officers.
Houston Vs Hill - 1987 - The 1st Amendment protects a significant amount of criticism and challenges
directed and LEO's
State vs Bailey - 2006 - No fighting words used.
What are the three elements of successful arrest planning? - ANSWER- SSS
Speed - Once decision to arrest is made, move as quickly but safely as needed to maintain surprise.
Surprise - Never telegraph intentions. If probable cause exists for an arrest, than arrest.
Safety / Survival - Seek tactical advantages while putting suspect at a disadvantage.
, Contact Officer - ANSWER- The primary officer on a call. Handles all communication, handcuffing,
and searches. First officer to approach.
Cover Officer - ANSWER- Protects Contact Officer by establishing a force presence. Covers the
threat. Discourages Escape attempts. Cover officer addresses CASE.
What are the Three Stages of an Arrest? - ANSWER- APC
Approach, Position, Control
Three Stages of an Arrest - Approach - ANSWER- Search for the suspect en-route. Use cover and
concealment. Make a visual search of suspect for weapons and body language.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Position - ANSWER- Reactionary Gap & Triangulation. Use Cover and
Concealment. Place suspect in a disadvantageous position.
Three Stages of an Arrest - Control - ANSWER- Attitude is everything! Challenge first. This takes the
initiative away from the suspect. Give clear and concise commands. Be confident and forceful, but not
overly aggressive or a hotdog. Avoid the use of slang terms, profanity, sexist or racist comments.
What are the three types of searches to a person? - ANSWER- Protective Search - AKA Frisk / Pat
Down / Terry Search. Non arrest, temporary detainment. Must be able to articulate suspicion for
search.
Search incident to arrest - AKA Field Search. Always handcuff subject. Use 50/50 Method. Search
from the rear.
Strip Search - Only as a result of arrest. Must have justification to do so.
Requirements for Cavity Search - ANSWER- Requires search warrant. Done by medical professional.
14th Amendment - ANSWER- DUE PROCESS - The conduct of legal proceedings according to
established rules and principles for the protection and enforcement of private rights. Including notice,
and the right to a fair hearing before a tribunal with the power to decide a case.
14th Amendment and Due Process - ANSWER- Made the Bill of Rights applicable to the states.
Brought uniformity in the application of Due Process. Every citizen of every State is a US Citizen. All
US Citizens set the protections of the Bill of Rights
Elements of an Offense - ANSWER- Key points of a crime that the state bears the burden of proving.
State must provide proof of each and every element of a crime to convict
Fighting Words - ANSWER- Words that, "by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an
immediate breach of peace." Fighting words are not subject to the restrictions of the First
Amendment.
Critical Elements of Proof - ANSWER- Jurisdiction
ID of the Defendant
Physical Action (Actus Reus)
