WJEC Criminology Unit 4 Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 Crime and Punishment Verified
Answers Level 3 Criminology Detailed Rationales
- Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: AC 1.1 – Processes Used for Law Making
Q1. A Government department publishes a document titled "Working Together to
Safeguard Children" which sets out firm proposals for new legislation to protect children
from online harms. What type of document is this in the parliamentary law-making
process?
A. Green Paper
B. White Paper
C. Public Bill
D. Statutory Instrument
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — A White Paper contains firm government proposals for legislation,
indicating the policy is settled and a Bill will follow. Distractor A (Green Paper) is
incorrect because it is a consultation document inviting discussion rather than setting
firm proposals. Distractor C is incorrect because a Bill is the draft law itself, not the
consultation document. (WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Parliamentary Law Making)
,Q2. A draft law to reform sentencing guidelines for terrorism offences has passed its
Second Reading in the House of Commons and is now being examined line-by-line by a
Public Bill Committee. Which stage comes immediately after this Committee Stage?
A. Third Reading
B. Report Stage
C. Royal Assent
D. Consideration by the House of Lords
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — After Committee Stage (detailed scrutiny), the Bill returns to the
House of Commons for Report Stage where amendments are debated before Third
Reading. Distractor A (Third Reading) follows Report Stage, not immediately after
Committee. Distractor C (Royal Assent) is the final stage after both Houses agree.
(WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Parliamentary Stages)
Q3. In a criminal case, the Court of Appeal rules that the legal principle established by
the Supreme Court in a previous case was incorrectly applied by the Crown Court. The
Court of Appeal must therefore follow the Supreme Court's earlier decision. Which
doctrine of precedent explains this?
A. Distinguishing
B. Stare decisis
C. Obiter dicta
D. Overruling
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — Stare decisis means "stand by what has been decided" and requires
lower courts to follow the binding precedents of higher courts in the hierarchy.
,Distractor D (Overruling) occurs when a higher court overturns a precedent from a lower
court, which is not what is happening here. Distractor A (Distinguishing) allows judges
to avoid following precedent due to material differences in facts. (WJEC Criminology
Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Common Law/Precedent)
Q4. A local authority passes a law prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in a specific
town centre park under powers granted by an Act of Parliament. Which type of
legislation is this?
A. An Act of Parliament
B. Delegated legislation (byelaws)
C. Common law
D. Private Members' Bill
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — Byelaws created by local authorities are a form of delegated
legislation, where power to make specific laws is granted by Parliament to subordinate
bodies. Distractor A is incorrect because Acts of Parliament are made by Parliament
itself, not local authorities. Distractor C refers to judge-made law, not local authority
regulations. (WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Delegated Legislation)
Q5. The House of Lords amends a Bill that has passed all stages in the House of
Commons. The Commons rejects the Lords' amendments and returns the Bill
unchanged. What can the House of Lords do under the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949?
A. Veto the Bill permanently
B. Delay the Bill for up to one year but cannot ultimately prevent it becoming law
C. Send the Bill to the Supreme Court for arbitration
D. Demand a public referendum on the Bill
, Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — The House of Lords can only delay legislation for up to one year (or
one month for money Bills); the elected House of Commons has primacy and can
override Lords' objections. Distractor A is incorrect because the Lords lost their
absolute veto power under the 1911 Parliament Act. (WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 –
Parliamentary Law Making)
Section 2: AC 1.2 – Organisation of the Criminal Justice System
Q6. A 19-year-old is arrested for robbery. During police detention, the custody officer
must review the necessity of continued detention after a specific time period under
PACE. What is the maximum initial detention period before a review must consider
release or charging?
A. 6 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 96 hours
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — Under PACE Code C, police can detain suspects for up to 24 hours
without charge (extendable to 36 hours by a Superintendent for serious offences, and
up to 96 hours by magistrates). The initial review occurs within 24 hours. Distractor C
requires Superintendent authorization, and D requires magistrates' approval. (WJEC
Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.2 – Police Powers)
Q7. A 16-year-old is charged with burglary. Which court has jurisdiction to hear this
case?
A. Crown Court only
2026/2027 Crime and Punishment Verified
Answers Level 3 Criminology Detailed Rationales
- Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: AC 1.1 – Processes Used for Law Making
Q1. A Government department publishes a document titled "Working Together to
Safeguard Children" which sets out firm proposals for new legislation to protect children
from online harms. What type of document is this in the parliamentary law-making
process?
A. Green Paper
B. White Paper
C. Public Bill
D. Statutory Instrument
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — A White Paper contains firm government proposals for legislation,
indicating the policy is settled and a Bill will follow. Distractor A (Green Paper) is
incorrect because it is a consultation document inviting discussion rather than setting
firm proposals. Distractor C is incorrect because a Bill is the draft law itself, not the
consultation document. (WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Parliamentary Law Making)
,Q2. A draft law to reform sentencing guidelines for terrorism offences has passed its
Second Reading in the House of Commons and is now being examined line-by-line by a
Public Bill Committee. Which stage comes immediately after this Committee Stage?
A. Third Reading
B. Report Stage
C. Royal Assent
D. Consideration by the House of Lords
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — After Committee Stage (detailed scrutiny), the Bill returns to the
House of Commons for Report Stage where amendments are debated before Third
Reading. Distractor A (Third Reading) follows Report Stage, not immediately after
Committee. Distractor C (Royal Assent) is the final stage after both Houses agree.
(WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Parliamentary Stages)
Q3. In a criminal case, the Court of Appeal rules that the legal principle established by
the Supreme Court in a previous case was incorrectly applied by the Crown Court. The
Court of Appeal must therefore follow the Supreme Court's earlier decision. Which
doctrine of precedent explains this?
A. Distinguishing
B. Stare decisis
C. Obiter dicta
D. Overruling
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — Stare decisis means "stand by what has been decided" and requires
lower courts to follow the binding precedents of higher courts in the hierarchy.
,Distractor D (Overruling) occurs when a higher court overturns a precedent from a lower
court, which is not what is happening here. Distractor A (Distinguishing) allows judges
to avoid following precedent due to material differences in facts. (WJEC Criminology
Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Common Law/Precedent)
Q4. A local authority passes a law prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in a specific
town centre park under powers granted by an Act of Parliament. Which type of
legislation is this?
A. An Act of Parliament
B. Delegated legislation (byelaws)
C. Common law
D. Private Members' Bill
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — Byelaws created by local authorities are a form of delegated
legislation, where power to make specific laws is granted by Parliament to subordinate
bodies. Distractor A is incorrect because Acts of Parliament are made by Parliament
itself, not local authorities. Distractor C refers to judge-made law, not local authority
regulations. (WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 – Delegated Legislation)
Q5. The House of Lords amends a Bill that has passed all stages in the House of
Commons. The Commons rejects the Lords' amendments and returns the Bill
unchanged. What can the House of Lords do under the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949?
A. Veto the Bill permanently
B. Delay the Bill for up to one year but cannot ultimately prevent it becoming law
C. Send the Bill to the Supreme Court for arbitration
D. Demand a public referendum on the Bill
, Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — The House of Lords can only delay legislation for up to one year (or
one month for money Bills); the elected House of Commons has primacy and can
override Lords' objections. Distractor A is incorrect because the Lords lost their
absolute veto power under the 1911 Parliament Act. (WJEC Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.1 –
Parliamentary Law Making)
Section 2: AC 1.2 – Organisation of the Criminal Justice System
Q6. A 19-year-old is arrested for robbery. During police detention, the custody officer
must review the necessity of continued detention after a specific time period under
PACE. What is the maximum initial detention period before a review must consider
release or charging?
A. 6 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 96 hours
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Correct — Under PACE Code C, police can detain suspects for up to 24 hours
without charge (extendable to 36 hours by a Superintendent for serious offences, and
up to 96 hours by magistrates). The initial review occurs within 24 hours. Distractor C
requires Superintendent authorization, and D requires magistrates' approval. (WJEC
Criminology Unit 4: AC 1.2 – Police Powers)
Q7. A 16-year-old is charged with burglary. Which court has jurisdiction to hear this
case?
A. Crown Court only
