SPEA V184 COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT SOLUTIONS
◉ Mens Rea.
Answer: the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes
part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused.
the mentality behind the crime
◉ Actus Reus.
Answer: A guilty (prohibited) act. The commission of a prohibited
act is one of the two essential elements required for criminal
liability, the other element being the intent to commit a crime.
the actual crime itself
◉ Types of Intent.
Answer: Specific Intent, General Intent
◉ General Intent.
Answer: an intention to act without regard to the results of the act.
,i.e. Recklessness, Negligence
◉ Specific Intent.
Answer: accused purposefully, intentionally, or with knowledge
commits a prohibited act
◉ Purpose and Types of Punishment.
Answer: Purposes:
Retribution- punishment as justice
Prevention- specific and general deterrence
Incapacitation- halt additional crimes
Rehabilitation- idea that lawbreaker is a social deviant in need of
correction or socialization
Types:
Fines
Suspended sentence (completion of a program)
Probation
Incarceration
Capital Punishment
, ◉ Mandatory Minimum Sentencing.
Answer: sentence that has been determined by state legislature or
congress that must be given to a person convicted of a crime,
regardless of details
people argue against it because some crimes are justified in action,
self defense, etc.
◉ Death Penalty Analysis.
Answer: Although the Supreme Court has ruled that mandatory
death sentences for certain offenses are unconstitutional, it has not
held that the death penalty itself constitutes cruel and unusual
punishment.
◉ Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
Answer: Court sentences prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
ie. no death sentence for minors, no life sentence for minors, no
death sentence for intellectually disabled individuals, etc.
◉ Sentencing.
Answer: A hearing to determine consequences for a crime
◉ Standards of Proof vs. Civil Law.
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT SOLUTIONS
◉ Mens Rea.
Answer: the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes
part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused.
the mentality behind the crime
◉ Actus Reus.
Answer: A guilty (prohibited) act. The commission of a prohibited
act is one of the two essential elements required for criminal
liability, the other element being the intent to commit a crime.
the actual crime itself
◉ Types of Intent.
Answer: Specific Intent, General Intent
◉ General Intent.
Answer: an intention to act without regard to the results of the act.
,i.e. Recklessness, Negligence
◉ Specific Intent.
Answer: accused purposefully, intentionally, or with knowledge
commits a prohibited act
◉ Purpose and Types of Punishment.
Answer: Purposes:
Retribution- punishment as justice
Prevention- specific and general deterrence
Incapacitation- halt additional crimes
Rehabilitation- idea that lawbreaker is a social deviant in need of
correction or socialization
Types:
Fines
Suspended sentence (completion of a program)
Probation
Incarceration
Capital Punishment
, ◉ Mandatory Minimum Sentencing.
Answer: sentence that has been determined by state legislature or
congress that must be given to a person convicted of a crime,
regardless of details
people argue against it because some crimes are justified in action,
self defense, etc.
◉ Death Penalty Analysis.
Answer: Although the Supreme Court has ruled that mandatory
death sentences for certain offenses are unconstitutional, it has not
held that the death penalty itself constitutes cruel and unusual
punishment.
◉ Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
Answer: Court sentences prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
ie. no death sentence for minors, no life sentence for minors, no
death sentence for intellectually disabled individuals, etc.
◉ Sentencing.
Answer: A hearing to determine consequences for a crime
◉ Standards of Proof vs. Civil Law.
