for the SCCJA Special Basic Exam / 2026-2027 Special
Basic SCCJA Exam Prep Study guide with 400 Real
Test Questions and Answers
The 4th Amendment applies to school searches based on which Supreme Court
case?
A) New Jersey v. T.L.O.
B) Terry v. Ohio
C) Miranda v. Arizona
D) Gideon v. Wainwright
-ANSWER- A
In SC, assault and battery in the 1st degree is a:
A) Misdemeanor
B) Felony
C) Traffic offense
D) Civil violation
-ANSWER- B
What are the elements of Assault and Battery 1st Degree in SC?
A) Injury with nonconsensual touching of private parts with lewd intent OR during
robbery/burglary/kidnapping/theft
B) Only minor injury
C) Only verbal threat
D) No injury required
-ANSWER- A
What are the elements of Assault and Battery 2nd Degree in SC?
A) Moderate bodily injury or nonconsensual touching without lewd intent
B) Great bodily injury
C) No injury required
D) Only if a weapon is used
-ANSWER- A
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,What are the elements of Assault and Battery 3rd Degree in SC?
A) Great bodily injury
B) Injury or attempt to injure with present ability to do so
C) Use of a deadly weapon
D) Lewd intent
-ANSWER- B
In SC, "moderate bodily injury" for assault purposes means:
A) Any physical injury
B) Injury that requires medical treatment but is not life-threatening
C) Death
D) No injury required
-ANSWER- B
In SC, "great bodily injury" means:
A) Any bruise
B) Injury that creates substantial risk of death or serious permanent disfigurement
C) A cut that requires stitches
D) Emotional distress
-ANSWER- B
What does "stare decisis" mean?
A) Let the decision stand
B) Innocent until proven guilty
C) The thing speaks for itself
D) Guilty mind
-ANSWER- A
What is the highest court in South Carolina?
A) SC Court of Appeals
B) SC Supreme Court
C) Federal District Court
D) Circuit Court
-ANSWER- B
How many justices serve on the SC Supreme Court?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
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,D) 9
-ANSWER- B
What is the jurisdiction of the SC Court of Appeals?
A) Only civil cases
B) Only criminal cases
C) All criminal appeals except death penalty cases; all civil appeals
D) Only juvenile cases
-ANSWER- C
A person who is convicted of a crime and sentenced to death in SC may appeal
directly to:
A) SC Court of Appeals
B) SC Supreme Court
C) US District Court
D) US Supreme Court
-ANSWER- B
What is the jurisdiction of the SC Circuit Court of Common Pleas?
A) Civil matters only
B) Criminal matters only
C) Civil matters over $7,500
D) Juvenile matters only
-ANSWER- C
What is the jurisdiction of the SC Circuit Court of General Sessions?
A) All criminal misdemeanors and felonies
B) Traffic violations only
C) Civil matters only
D) Probate matters
-ANSWER- A
In SC, a magistrate court has jurisdiction over which of the following?
A) Divorce cases
B) Cases where the maximum penalty is 30 days and $500 fine
C) Felonies
D) Capital offenses
-ANSWER- B
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, In SC, a municipal court judge is appointed by:
A) The Governor
B) The county council
C) The city council or mayor
D) The Chief Justice
-ANSWER- C
What is the difference between a magistrate and a municipal judge in SC?
A) Magistrates are elected; municipal judges are appointed
B) Magistrates have civil jurisdiction; municipal judges do not
C) Municipal judges handle city ordinance violations; magistrates handle state law
violations
D) All of the above
-ANSWER- D
In SC, the Master-in-Equity has jurisdiction over:
A) Criminal trials
B) Matters referred from Circuit Court such as foreclosures
C) Juvenile delinquency
D) Traffic citations
-ANSWER- B
The Probate Court in SC has jurisdiction over:
A) Wills and estates
B) Mental competency hearings
C) Guardian ad litem appointments
D) All of the above
-ANSWER- D
What is the "age of majority" for criminal prosecution in SC?
A) 16
B) 17
C) 18
D) 21
-ANSWER- B
In SC, a 16-year-old who commits a violent crime:
A) Is automatically tried as an adult
B) Remains in juvenile court unless transferred by family court
C) Cannot be charged
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