Special Basic SCCJA Certified Exam Practice
Questions & Answers, Questions with Correct
Answers & Rationales | Latest 2026/2027 South
Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Domain Questions Key Topics
SC statutes, U.S. Constitution
South Carolina Law &
1–30 amendments, probable cause, warrants,
Constitutional Law
qualified immunity
Search/seizure, chain of custody,
Criminal Procedure &
31–60 Miranda, exclusionary rule, arrest
Evidence
procedures
DV laws, protective orders, child/elder
Domestic Violence &
61–90 abuse, victim advocacy, trauma-informed
Victimology
policing
69–71, 85– Juvenile jurisdiction, detention,
Juvenile Procedures
87 adjudication, child neglect, statutory rape
Cyberstalking, harassment vs. stalking,
Harassment & Stalking 7, 91–94
protective orders, prevention
Gang activity, identifiers, databases,
Criminal Gangs 95–100
enhancements, indicators
Cultural awareness, bias training, de-
Cultural Awareness &
101–120 escalation, professional ethics,
Ethics
accountability
Public Safety 103, 107, Community policing, procedural justice,
Standards 113, 117 transparency, incident review
TOPICS FOR SCCJA SPECIAL BASIC EXAM
Must-Know South Carolina Laws:
1. Domestic Violence – S.C. Code § 16-25-20 (definition), § 16-25-65
(misdemeanor), § 16-25-70 (felony)
, 2. Burglary – S.C. Code § 16-8-1 (definition), first-degree = 20 years
3. Assault & Battery – S.C. Code § 16-3-10 (definition), aggravated = 10
years
4. Harassment/Stalking – S.C. Code § 16-3-940 (definition), felony for
repeated
5. Child Abuse – S.C. Code § 63-7-10 (definition), first-degree = 20 years
6. Elder Abuse – S.C. Code § 43-35-10 (65+), mandatory reporting to DSS
7. Criminal Trespass – S.C. Code § 16-11-300 (unlawful entry)
8. Theft – S.C. Code § 16-13-30 ($1,000+ = felony, 5 years)
9. DUI – S.C. Code § 32-5-1 (serious injury = felony, 5 years)
10.Sexual Assault – S.C. Code § 16-3-10 (first-degree = 30 years)
Must-Know Constitutional Amendments:
• 4th Amendment – Search/seizure, warrants, probable cause
• 5th Amendment – Double jeopardy, self-incrimination, due process, grand
jury
• 6th Amendment – Right to counsel, speedy trial, jury
• 8th Amendment – Cruel/unusual punishment, excessive bail/fines
• 1st Amendment – Speech, religion, press, assembly
• 14th Amendment – Due process, equal protection
Must-Know Procedures:
• Mandatory Arrest – DV with probable cause = arrest required
• Miranda Warnings – Custodial interrogation = rights notification
• Search Warrant – Probable cause + magistrate approval + specific location
• Chain of Custody – Document all evidence handlers
• Exclusionary Rule – Illegal evidence = inadmissible
• Fresh Pursuit – Cross-jurisdictional pursuit allowed
, • Reporting Requirements – Child/elder abuse = DSS within 24 hours
Questions 1–30: South Carolina Law, Constitutional Law & Ethics
1. Under South Carolina law, what is the primary purpose of the Law
Enforcement Training Act?
A. Increase police funding
B. Establish minimum training standards for certified officers
C. Reduce officer liability
D. Increase arrest rates
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Act establishes
minimum training standards, certification requirements, and professional
competencies for all certified law enforcement officers in the state.
2. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable
searches and seizures?
A. First Amendment
B. Fourth Amendment
C. Fifth Amendment
D. Sixth Amendment
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and
seizures, requiring warrants based on probable cause except in specific exceptions.
3. In South Carolina, what is the legal definition of "probable cause"?
A. Absolute certainty that a crime occurred
B. Reasonable belief based on facts that a crime was committed or is occurring
C. Mere suspicion of criminal activity
D. Witness testimony alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Probable cause in South Carolina is a reasonable belief based on
, factual evidence that a crime was committed, is occurring, or will occur—more
than suspicion but less than absolute certainty.
4. Which South Carolina statute defines the crime of burglary?
A. S.C. Code § 16-3-10
B. S.C. Code § 16-11-300
C. S.C. Code § 16-8-1
D. S.C. Code § 16-3-10
Correct answer: C
Rationale: S.C. Code § 16-8-1 defines burglary in South Carolina as unlawfully
entering a building without consent with intent to commit a crime therein.
5. What is the maximum prison sentence for felony domestic violence in South
Carolina?
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Felony domestic violence in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 16-25-70)
carries a maximum prison sentence of 5 years for serious bodily injury to a
family/household member.
6. Under South Carolina law, which of the following is REQUIRED for a valid
arrest warrant?
A. Officer's opinion only
B. Probable cause supported by oath or affidavit
C. Victim's request only
D. Suspect's confession
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A valid arrest warrant requires probable cause supported by oath or
Questions & Answers, Questions with Correct
Answers & Rationales | Latest 2026/2027 South
Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Domain Questions Key Topics
SC statutes, U.S. Constitution
South Carolina Law &
1–30 amendments, probable cause, warrants,
Constitutional Law
qualified immunity
Search/seizure, chain of custody,
Criminal Procedure &
31–60 Miranda, exclusionary rule, arrest
Evidence
procedures
DV laws, protective orders, child/elder
Domestic Violence &
61–90 abuse, victim advocacy, trauma-informed
Victimology
policing
69–71, 85– Juvenile jurisdiction, detention,
Juvenile Procedures
87 adjudication, child neglect, statutory rape
Cyberstalking, harassment vs. stalking,
Harassment & Stalking 7, 91–94
protective orders, prevention
Gang activity, identifiers, databases,
Criminal Gangs 95–100
enhancements, indicators
Cultural awareness, bias training, de-
Cultural Awareness &
101–120 escalation, professional ethics,
Ethics
accountability
Public Safety 103, 107, Community policing, procedural justice,
Standards 113, 117 transparency, incident review
TOPICS FOR SCCJA SPECIAL BASIC EXAM
Must-Know South Carolina Laws:
1. Domestic Violence – S.C. Code § 16-25-20 (definition), § 16-25-65
(misdemeanor), § 16-25-70 (felony)
, 2. Burglary – S.C. Code § 16-8-1 (definition), first-degree = 20 years
3. Assault & Battery – S.C. Code § 16-3-10 (definition), aggravated = 10
years
4. Harassment/Stalking – S.C. Code § 16-3-940 (definition), felony for
repeated
5. Child Abuse – S.C. Code § 63-7-10 (definition), first-degree = 20 years
6. Elder Abuse – S.C. Code § 43-35-10 (65+), mandatory reporting to DSS
7. Criminal Trespass – S.C. Code § 16-11-300 (unlawful entry)
8. Theft – S.C. Code § 16-13-30 ($1,000+ = felony, 5 years)
9. DUI – S.C. Code § 32-5-1 (serious injury = felony, 5 years)
10.Sexual Assault – S.C. Code § 16-3-10 (first-degree = 30 years)
Must-Know Constitutional Amendments:
• 4th Amendment – Search/seizure, warrants, probable cause
• 5th Amendment – Double jeopardy, self-incrimination, due process, grand
jury
• 6th Amendment – Right to counsel, speedy trial, jury
• 8th Amendment – Cruel/unusual punishment, excessive bail/fines
• 1st Amendment – Speech, religion, press, assembly
• 14th Amendment – Due process, equal protection
Must-Know Procedures:
• Mandatory Arrest – DV with probable cause = arrest required
• Miranda Warnings – Custodial interrogation = rights notification
• Search Warrant – Probable cause + magistrate approval + specific location
• Chain of Custody – Document all evidence handlers
• Exclusionary Rule – Illegal evidence = inadmissible
• Fresh Pursuit – Cross-jurisdictional pursuit allowed
, • Reporting Requirements – Child/elder abuse = DSS within 24 hours
Questions 1–30: South Carolina Law, Constitutional Law & Ethics
1. Under South Carolina law, what is the primary purpose of the Law
Enforcement Training Act?
A. Increase police funding
B. Establish minimum training standards for certified officers
C. Reduce officer liability
D. Increase arrest rates
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Act establishes
minimum training standards, certification requirements, and professional
competencies for all certified law enforcement officers in the state.
2. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable
searches and seizures?
A. First Amendment
B. Fourth Amendment
C. Fifth Amendment
D. Sixth Amendment
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and
seizures, requiring warrants based on probable cause except in specific exceptions.
3. In South Carolina, what is the legal definition of "probable cause"?
A. Absolute certainty that a crime occurred
B. Reasonable belief based on facts that a crime was committed or is occurring
C. Mere suspicion of criminal activity
D. Witness testimony alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Probable cause in South Carolina is a reasonable belief based on
, factual evidence that a crime was committed, is occurring, or will occur—more
than suspicion but less than absolute certainty.
4. Which South Carolina statute defines the crime of burglary?
A. S.C. Code § 16-3-10
B. S.C. Code § 16-11-300
C. S.C. Code § 16-8-1
D. S.C. Code § 16-3-10
Correct answer: C
Rationale: S.C. Code § 16-8-1 defines burglary in South Carolina as unlawfully
entering a building without consent with intent to commit a crime therein.
5. What is the maximum prison sentence for felony domestic violence in South
Carolina?
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Felony domestic violence in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 16-25-70)
carries a maximum prison sentence of 5 years for serious bodily injury to a
family/household member.
6. Under South Carolina law, which of the following is REQUIRED for a valid
arrest warrant?
A. Officer's opinion only
B. Probable cause supported by oath or affidavit
C. Victim's request only
D. Suspect's confession
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A valid arrest warrant requires probable cause supported by oath or
