SCCJA SPECIAL BASIC STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
| Revision Notes | A+ Verified
• When was the Constitution produced? -✓✓In the summer of 1787.
• What was proposed shortly after the Constitution was ratified? -✓✓The Bill of Rights
in September 1788.
• When was the Bill of Rights ratified? -✓✓In late 1791.
• What does the 1st Amendment protect? -✓✓Freedom of speech, religion, press, the
right to peacefully assemble, and to petition the government.
• What right does the 2nd Amendment guarantee? -✓✓The right to bear arms.
• What does the 4th Amendment protect against? -✓✓Unreasonable searches and
seizures.
• What does the 5th Amendment state about double jeopardy? -✓✓No person shall be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.
• What is guaranteed by the 6th Amendment? -✓✓The right to a speedy and public trial
by an impartial jury.
• What does the 14th Amendment guarantee? -✓✓Citizenship to all persons born or
naturalized in the US and equal protection of the laws.
• What is the role of the Legislative Branch? -✓✓To make laws.
• What is the role of the Executive Branch? -✓✓To enforce laws.
• What is the role of the Judicial Branch? -✓✓To interpret laws.
• What is the purpose of checks and balances? -✓✓To prevent any one branch from
becoming too powerful.
• Who drafted the principles of modern law enforcement? -✓✓Robert Peel in 1829.
,• What is the significance of the South Carolina State Constitution? -✓✓It includes a Bill
of Rights and has been revised multiple times. It also adds the protection against
unreasonable invasions of privacy and
with regard to the "particularity" requirement, SC requires the information sought
pursuant to a
warrant to be stated specifically.
• What is the highest court in the U.S. and Recognize the functions and organizations. -
✓✓The U.S. Supreme Court. Nine members. Court of last resort from which there is no
appeal.
• What is 'case law'? -✓✓The body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges.
• Which courts provide binding case law? -✓✓Decisions by the Supreme Court are
binding on all federal and state courts. SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals are
binding on all lower courts.
• What is meant by 'elements of an offense'? -✓✓Crimes made up of elements the state
bears the burden of proving.
• What is the structure of the U.S. court system? -✓✓Includes the U.S. Supreme Court,
U.S. Court of Appeals (13 of them), and U.S. District Courts (94 of them).
• How can a state case be reviewed in federal court? -✓✓By filing a writ of certiorari to
the U.S. Supreme Court.
• What does the South Carolina Court of Appeals review? -✓✓Criminal and civil cases
from lower courts, hears all criminal appeals except death penalty cases. Is a "court of
law" so will only answer questions of law presented to it.
• What is the Master-in-Equity? -✓✓Part of circuit courts, jurisdiction over matters
referred from Circuit Court, does not have criminal jurisdiction. Known as "Court of
Fairness".
• What matters does the Probate Court handle? -✓✓Wills, estates, guardian ad litem,
and mental competency issues; does not have criminal jurisdiction.
• What is the jurisdiction of the Family Court? -✓✓Domestic matters and cases
concerning children under 18, including juvenile criminal/delinquency cases.
• What are the two branches of Circuit Courts? -✓✓Common Pleas for civil matters and
General Sessions for criminal matters.
, • What do Summary Courts include? -✓✓Magistrate Courts and City or Municipal
Courts, handling minor criminal cases and city ordinance violations. Max penalty $500
and 30 day imprisonment.
• What is the origin of criminal law? -✓✓Written codes of law from ancient Sumeria;
U.S. law originates from English common law.
• What is common law? -✓✓Laws established by court decisions.
• What is Statutory Law? -✓✓Legislatively created laws.
• What is Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI)? -✓✓Directed by circuit solicitor for minor non-
violent crimes; eligibility includes being a first-time offender, 17 years or older, referred
by judge, attorney, or law enforcement.
• What are the rights of the accused in a criminal trial? -✓✓Speedy trial, jury trial,
confronted by witnesses, counsel for defense, privilege against self-incrimination.
• What does the burden of proof entail? -✓✓The party's duty to prove a disputed
assertion of charge.
• What is reasonable doubt? -✓✓The doubt that prevents conviction; the highest
standard of proof in the legal system.
• What is double jeopardy? -✓✓Being prosecuted or sentenced twice for the same
offense; prohibited after acquittal or conviction.
• What are the critical elements of a charge? -✓✓Jurisdiction, identification, physical
action, and mental intent must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
• What happens when a crime occurs? -✓✓If it will be heard by General Sessions, the
defendant can request a preliminary hearing after indictment.
• What occurs at an arrest/bond hearing? -✓✓Defendant is booked, bond hearing is
held, and they are advised of charges and rights. (Bond hearing held within 24 hours).
• What is the purpose of a preliminary hearing? -✓✓To determine probable cause to
hold the defendant for Grand Jury indictment. Must be requested by defendant within 10
days of bond hearing.
• What does a Grand Jury do? -✓✓Decides if there is enough evidence to indict;
comprised of eighteen jurors. At least 12 must say "true bill" for indictment.
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
| Revision Notes | A+ Verified
• When was the Constitution produced? -✓✓In the summer of 1787.
• What was proposed shortly after the Constitution was ratified? -✓✓The Bill of Rights
in September 1788.
• When was the Bill of Rights ratified? -✓✓In late 1791.
• What does the 1st Amendment protect? -✓✓Freedom of speech, religion, press, the
right to peacefully assemble, and to petition the government.
• What right does the 2nd Amendment guarantee? -✓✓The right to bear arms.
• What does the 4th Amendment protect against? -✓✓Unreasonable searches and
seizures.
• What does the 5th Amendment state about double jeopardy? -✓✓No person shall be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.
• What is guaranteed by the 6th Amendment? -✓✓The right to a speedy and public trial
by an impartial jury.
• What does the 14th Amendment guarantee? -✓✓Citizenship to all persons born or
naturalized in the US and equal protection of the laws.
• What is the role of the Legislative Branch? -✓✓To make laws.
• What is the role of the Executive Branch? -✓✓To enforce laws.
• What is the role of the Judicial Branch? -✓✓To interpret laws.
• What is the purpose of checks and balances? -✓✓To prevent any one branch from
becoming too powerful.
• Who drafted the principles of modern law enforcement? -✓✓Robert Peel in 1829.
,• What is the significance of the South Carolina State Constitution? -✓✓It includes a Bill
of Rights and has been revised multiple times. It also adds the protection against
unreasonable invasions of privacy and
with regard to the "particularity" requirement, SC requires the information sought
pursuant to a
warrant to be stated specifically.
• What is the highest court in the U.S. and Recognize the functions and organizations. -
✓✓The U.S. Supreme Court. Nine members. Court of last resort from which there is no
appeal.
• What is 'case law'? -✓✓The body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges.
• Which courts provide binding case law? -✓✓Decisions by the Supreme Court are
binding on all federal and state courts. SC Supreme Court and SC Court of Appeals are
binding on all lower courts.
• What is meant by 'elements of an offense'? -✓✓Crimes made up of elements the state
bears the burden of proving.
• What is the structure of the U.S. court system? -✓✓Includes the U.S. Supreme Court,
U.S. Court of Appeals (13 of them), and U.S. District Courts (94 of them).
• How can a state case be reviewed in federal court? -✓✓By filing a writ of certiorari to
the U.S. Supreme Court.
• What does the South Carolina Court of Appeals review? -✓✓Criminal and civil cases
from lower courts, hears all criminal appeals except death penalty cases. Is a "court of
law" so will only answer questions of law presented to it.
• What is the Master-in-Equity? -✓✓Part of circuit courts, jurisdiction over matters
referred from Circuit Court, does not have criminal jurisdiction. Known as "Court of
Fairness".
• What matters does the Probate Court handle? -✓✓Wills, estates, guardian ad litem,
and mental competency issues; does not have criminal jurisdiction.
• What is the jurisdiction of the Family Court? -✓✓Domestic matters and cases
concerning children under 18, including juvenile criminal/delinquency cases.
• What are the two branches of Circuit Courts? -✓✓Common Pleas for civil matters and
General Sessions for criminal matters.
, • What do Summary Courts include? -✓✓Magistrate Courts and City or Municipal
Courts, handling minor criminal cases and city ordinance violations. Max penalty $500
and 30 day imprisonment.
• What is the origin of criminal law? -✓✓Written codes of law from ancient Sumeria;
U.S. law originates from English common law.
• What is common law? -✓✓Laws established by court decisions.
• What is Statutory Law? -✓✓Legislatively created laws.
• What is Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI)? -✓✓Directed by circuit solicitor for minor non-
violent crimes; eligibility includes being a first-time offender, 17 years or older, referred
by judge, attorney, or law enforcement.
• What are the rights of the accused in a criminal trial? -✓✓Speedy trial, jury trial,
confronted by witnesses, counsel for defense, privilege against self-incrimination.
• What does the burden of proof entail? -✓✓The party's duty to prove a disputed
assertion of charge.
• What is reasonable doubt? -✓✓The doubt that prevents conviction; the highest
standard of proof in the legal system.
• What is double jeopardy? -✓✓Being prosecuted or sentenced twice for the same
offense; prohibited after acquittal or conviction.
• What are the critical elements of a charge? -✓✓Jurisdiction, identification, physical
action, and mental intent must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
• What happens when a crime occurs? -✓✓If it will be heard by General Sessions, the
defendant can request a preliminary hearing after indictment.
• What occurs at an arrest/bond hearing? -✓✓Defendant is booked, bond hearing is
held, and they are advised of charges and rights. (Bond hearing held within 24 hours).
• What is the purpose of a preliminary hearing? -✓✓To determine probable cause to
hold the defendant for Grand Jury indictment. Must be requested by defendant within 10
days of bond hearing.
• What does a Grand Jury do? -✓✓Decides if there is enough evidence to indict;
comprised of eighteen jurors. At least 12 must say "true bill" for indictment.
