Minnesota POST Board Peace Officer
Licensing Practice | Exam Cycle: 2026/2027
Answer Key & Rationale (Located at the end of the exam)
Domain 1: Criminal Law, Statutory Authority & the Court System (14 Questions)
1. Under Minnesota Statute 609.52, which of the following specific elements must the State
prove to establish the crime of Theft?
A. The property was taken from the person of another.
B. The defendant intentionally took movable property of another without their consent and
with the intent to deprive the owner permanently.
C. The property taken was valued at more than $500.
D. The defendant used force to take the property.
2. A suspect steals a riding lawn mower valued at $1,500 from a retail store. According to
Minnesota Statute 609.52, how is this offense classified?
A. Petty Misdemeanor
B. Misdemeanor
C. Gross Misdemeanor
D. Felony
3. Which of the following scenarios constitutes Theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52?
A. A borrower accidentally returns a library book three days late.
B. A finders keepers situation where a person finds a lost wallet in a park and turns it into
police.
C. A shoplifter conceals a $50 item in their jacket and walks past the last point of sale without
paying.
,D. A person takes an item they believe was abandoned by the owner.
4. Under Minnesota Statute 609.52, the value of stolen property is a determining factor for
the level of the offense. At what specific dollar value does theft generally escalate from a
Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $2,500
D. $5,000
5. Select all that apply: According to Minnesota Statute 609.582 (Burglary), which of the
following are the required elements that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt?
A. The defendant entered a building without the consent of the person in possession.
B. The defendant used force to break a window or door to gain entry.
C. The defendant entered with the intent to commit a crime (other than trespass) therein.
D. The building was a dwelling at the time of the entry.
6. Which of the following best defines the "intent" element required for a conviction of
Burglary under Minnesota Statute 609.582?
A. The intent to permanently deprive the owner of property.
B. The intent to commit a theft or assault inside the building at the time of entry.
C. The intent to damage the property of the owner.
D. The intent to flee from law enforcement after entry.
7. True or False: Under Minnesota law, a person can be convicted of Burglary if they lawfully
entered a dwelling but subsequently formed the intent to commit a crime after they were
already inside.
,8. Under which specific statutory authority may a Minnesota peace officer issue a citation in
lieu of a custodial arrest for a misdemeanor offense?
A. Minnesota Statute 629.34
B. Minnesota Statute 609.06
C. Minnesota Statute 169A.20
D. Minnesota Statute 629.30
9. When a peace officer issues a citation for a misdemeanor offense, what is the legal
significance of the suspect’s signature on the citation?
A. It is an admission of guilt.
B. It is a waiver of the right to a jury trial.
C. It is a promise to appear in court at a specified time and place.
D. It is an agreement to pay a fine immediately.
10. Select all that apply: When determining whether to issue a citation or effect a custodial
arrest for a misdemeanor, a Minnesota peace officer must consider which of the following
factors?
A. The likelihood that the accused will appear in court.
B. Whether the accused poses a threat to the safety of the public.
C. The seriousness of the offense.
D. The personal preference of the officer for efficiency.
11. Which of the following statements accurately describes the jurisdiction of the Minnesota
Court of Appeals?
A. It has original jurisdiction over all felony cases.
B. It is an error-correcting court that reviews appeals from District Courts and certain
administrative agencies.
C. It only reviews cases involving federal law.
, D. Its decisions are final and cannot be reviewed by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
12. True or False: The Minnesota Court of Appeals must hear every appeal filed from a District
Court conviction, whereas the Minnesota Supreme Court has discretionary review authority.
13. In the Minnesota criminal classification system, which of the following penalties is
associated with a Gross Misdemeanor?
A. imprisonment of not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.
B. imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $3,000.
C. imprisonment of not more than 364 days or a fine of not more than $3,000.
D. imprisonment for a definite term imposed by the court according to the sentencing
guidelines.
14. Select all that apply: Which of the following statements correctly describe the
classification of crimes in Minnesota?
A. A Felony is a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
B. A Misdemeanor is a crime punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days.
C. A Petty Misdemeanor is not technically a "crime" but is punishable by a fine of up to $300.
D. A Gross Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 2 years in prison.
Domain 2: Constitutional Law, Search & Seizure, and the Arrest (14 Questions)
15. A Minnesota officer observes a suspect in a public park matching a reliable description of
a person who just committed a felony armed robbery two blocks away. The officer is not in
possession of an arrest warrant. Is the officer authorized to arrest the suspect?
A. No, a warrant is always required for a felony arrest.
B. No, the officer must first seek judicial approval.
C. Yes, because the officer has Probable Cause to believe the suspect committed a felony.
D. Yes, but only if the felony was violent in nature.
Licensing Practice | Exam Cycle: 2026/2027
Answer Key & Rationale (Located at the end of the exam)
Domain 1: Criminal Law, Statutory Authority & the Court System (14 Questions)
1. Under Minnesota Statute 609.52, which of the following specific elements must the State
prove to establish the crime of Theft?
A. The property was taken from the person of another.
B. The defendant intentionally took movable property of another without their consent and
with the intent to deprive the owner permanently.
C. The property taken was valued at more than $500.
D. The defendant used force to take the property.
2. A suspect steals a riding lawn mower valued at $1,500 from a retail store. According to
Minnesota Statute 609.52, how is this offense classified?
A. Petty Misdemeanor
B. Misdemeanor
C. Gross Misdemeanor
D. Felony
3. Which of the following scenarios constitutes Theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52?
A. A borrower accidentally returns a library book three days late.
B. A finders keepers situation where a person finds a lost wallet in a park and turns it into
police.
C. A shoplifter conceals a $50 item in their jacket and walks past the last point of sale without
paying.
,D. A person takes an item they believe was abandoned by the owner.
4. Under Minnesota Statute 609.52, the value of stolen property is a determining factor for
the level of the offense. At what specific dollar value does theft generally escalate from a
Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $2,500
D. $5,000
5. Select all that apply: According to Minnesota Statute 609.582 (Burglary), which of the
following are the required elements that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt?
A. The defendant entered a building without the consent of the person in possession.
B. The defendant used force to break a window or door to gain entry.
C. The defendant entered with the intent to commit a crime (other than trespass) therein.
D. The building was a dwelling at the time of the entry.
6. Which of the following best defines the "intent" element required for a conviction of
Burglary under Minnesota Statute 609.582?
A. The intent to permanently deprive the owner of property.
B. The intent to commit a theft or assault inside the building at the time of entry.
C. The intent to damage the property of the owner.
D. The intent to flee from law enforcement after entry.
7. True or False: Under Minnesota law, a person can be convicted of Burglary if they lawfully
entered a dwelling but subsequently formed the intent to commit a crime after they were
already inside.
,8. Under which specific statutory authority may a Minnesota peace officer issue a citation in
lieu of a custodial arrest for a misdemeanor offense?
A. Minnesota Statute 629.34
B. Minnesota Statute 609.06
C. Minnesota Statute 169A.20
D. Minnesota Statute 629.30
9. When a peace officer issues a citation for a misdemeanor offense, what is the legal
significance of the suspect’s signature on the citation?
A. It is an admission of guilt.
B. It is a waiver of the right to a jury trial.
C. It is a promise to appear in court at a specified time and place.
D. It is an agreement to pay a fine immediately.
10. Select all that apply: When determining whether to issue a citation or effect a custodial
arrest for a misdemeanor, a Minnesota peace officer must consider which of the following
factors?
A. The likelihood that the accused will appear in court.
B. Whether the accused poses a threat to the safety of the public.
C. The seriousness of the offense.
D. The personal preference of the officer for efficiency.
11. Which of the following statements accurately describes the jurisdiction of the Minnesota
Court of Appeals?
A. It has original jurisdiction over all felony cases.
B. It is an error-correcting court that reviews appeals from District Courts and certain
administrative agencies.
C. It only reviews cases involving federal law.
, D. Its decisions are final and cannot be reviewed by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
12. True or False: The Minnesota Court of Appeals must hear every appeal filed from a District
Court conviction, whereas the Minnesota Supreme Court has discretionary review authority.
13. In the Minnesota criminal classification system, which of the following penalties is
associated with a Gross Misdemeanor?
A. imprisonment of not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.
B. imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $3,000.
C. imprisonment of not more than 364 days or a fine of not more than $3,000.
D. imprisonment for a definite term imposed by the court according to the sentencing
guidelines.
14. Select all that apply: Which of the following statements correctly describe the
classification of crimes in Minnesota?
A. A Felony is a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
B. A Misdemeanor is a crime punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days.
C. A Petty Misdemeanor is not technically a "crime" but is punishable by a fine of up to $300.
D. A Gross Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 2 years in prison.
Domain 2: Constitutional Law, Search & Seizure, and the Arrest (14 Questions)
15. A Minnesota officer observes a suspect in a public park matching a reliable description of
a person who just committed a felony armed robbery two blocks away. The officer is not in
possession of an arrest warrant. Is the officer authorized to arrest the suspect?
A. No, a warrant is always required for a felony arrest.
B. No, the officer must first seek judicial approval.
C. Yes, because the officer has Probable Cause to believe the suspect committed a felony.
D. Yes, but only if the felony was violent in nature.
