Exam basics
In this course, we explore career and academic options, analyze landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, and study the philosophy and history of administration of justice, including police, courts, and corrections. Our exams test your recall of those subjects. This study guide is here to help you to focus your studies.
Our midterm exam includes up to 50 questions, covering chapters 1-7 of our textbook in 90 minutes.
Our final exam includes up to 50 questions, covering our entire textbook in 90 minutes.
Both exams are timed, open notes (open book for online courses), and structured much like our chapter quizzes, offering issue spotting scenarios, multiple choice(s), matching and/or true/false questions.
Maximize knowledge retention with active learning
Use the SQSTR Method to actively seek information as you explore course materials, taking notes that summarize, organize, and centralize important information:
Survey: First, skim each assigned reading, paying special attention to chapter objectives and summaries, and any information that is highlighted or called out, e.g., charts and tables.
Question: Create questions about the content of the reading, such as: What are its key points? What will I be expected to learn from these materials?
Seek: Actively read the materials, seeking answers to the questions you formulated in Step 2, along with an overall understanding. Immediately consult a dictionary for any unfamiliar terms.
Teach: Upon completing a reading, write a summary that explains it in simple terms, as if you were teaching it to a student who is new to this topic.
Review your notes regularly: Quiz yourself on the questions you created, plus any publisher-provided questions. If you have study partners, quiz each other.
Study: Textbook > Slides > Quizzes + Cases = Notes
Refine your studies as follows, adding highlights to your notes at each step:
Review the textbook, paying special attention to chapter objectives, chapter summaries, vocabulary, featured text (bulleted, bold, etc.), and questions posed by the author
Review our Slideshows, noting featured information
Quizzes - note the question types and topics covered, and focus on questions you missed
Cases - make/review an alphabetical list of each case we covered, with its name and rule
Create an outline of the law that we have covered, so that you can see how it all works together
Regularly review your notes
Watch this video for tips on how our exams are constructed and how you can maximize your success.
Watch this video for tips on how our exams are constructed and how you can maximize your success.
Issue Spotting Scenarios
Before the Exam
Study the law, and don't be afraid to ask questions when you need help. You need to understand the law in order to be able to apply it.
Create an outline, summarizing the law so that you can see how the rules work together.
During the Exam
Carefully read each sentence of the scenario and ask why each fact is there. Be creative as you spot issues in the facts that relate to the law covered in our course. Guide
Scenario facts may be presented:
to provide background
to raise issues; or
to throw you off
Create an outline of your answer before you start writing it. Cite relevant constitutional provisions, cases, statutes, rules of evidence and jury instructions that pertain to your answer.
What to expect on our exams
Our exams typically include the following:
Vocabulary, including legal/professional terms, Latin
The Bill of Rights, including its history and development, and incorporation, with focus upon the application of the following amendments to criminal justice: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Amendments
Scenarios that require you to apply statutory and/or case law rules to fact patterns. List each case we have covered with its rule, so that you can quickly locate it and apply its rule to scenario questions.
Questions relating to our Student Learning Outcomes
Analyze the major components of the U.S. criminal justice system.
Compare and contrast U.S. criminal court systems.
Identify the processes by which a criminal case progresses from investigation to appeal.
Questions relating to our Course Objectives
Analyze, compare, and contrast the philosophy and history of the administration of justice system in the U.S.
Compare and contrast the administration of justice system's major components: law enforcement, judicial, and corrections
Explain the cause of crime and victimization theories and patterns
Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. court systems at local, state, and federal levels
Define laws of arrest and arrestable offenses involving misdemeanor and felony crimes
Recall the role, history, and organization of police
Compare and contrast various systems for measuring and reporting crime in the U.S.
Analyze the role of private policing and security in the U.S.
Compare and contrast administration of justice career qualifications and job placement
Complete and understand job application and background packet forms
Analyze, compare, and contrast the local, state, and federal levels of corrections
Examine and compare probation and parole functions in the U.S.
Analyze and understand the nature and history of the juvenile justice system in the U.S.
Cases to remember
Here is a list of some (not necessarily all) cases that may be covered in our exams, in alphabetical order. In your notes, list each case with its rule to help you to quickly locate it and apply it to exam questions. You may use this template, if you like.
Aguilar v. Texas, 378 U.S. 108 (1964)
Alabama v. White, 496 U.S. 325 (1990)
Ali v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, 552 U.S. 214 (2008)
Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000)
Argersinger v. Hamlin, 407 U.S. 25 (1972)
Arizona v Gant, 556 U.S. 332 (2009)
Arizona v. Evans, 514 U.S. 1 (1995)
Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279 (1991)
Arizona v. Hicks, 480 U.S. 321 (1987)
Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002)
Atwater v. Lago Vista, 532 U.S. 318 (2001)
Ballew v. Georgia, 435 U.S. 223 (1978)
Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972)
Batson v Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986)
Baze v. Rees, 553 U.S. 35 (2008)
Bearden v. Georgia, 461 U.S. 660 (1983)
Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. 784 (1969)
Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971)
Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296 (2004)
Booth v. Maryland, 482 U. S. 496 (1987)
Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977)
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
Breed v. Jones, 421 U.S. 519 (1975)
Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387 (1977)
Brigham City v. Stuart, 547 U.S. 398 (2006)
Brown v. Mississippi, 297 U.S. 278 (1936)
Burch v. Louisiana, 441 U.S. 130 (1979)
Burns v. Reed, 500 U.S. 478 (1991)
Calder v. Bull, 3 U.S. 386 (1798)
California v. Greenwood, 486 U.S. 35 (1988)
California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621 (1991)
Carroll v. United States, 267 U.S. 132 (1925)
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co. v. Chicago, 166 U.S. 226 (1897)
Chimel v. California, 395 U.S. 752 (1969)
Coker v. Georgia, 433 U.S. 584 (1977)
Correctional Services Corp. v. Malesko, 534 U.S. 61 (2001)
Cramer v. United States, 325 U.S. 1 (1945)
Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004)
Cruz v. Beto, 405 U.S. 319 (1972)
Cunningham v. California, 549 U.S. 270 (2007)
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993)
Davis v. United States, 512 U.S. 452 (1994)
Davis v. United States, 564 U.S. 229 (2011)
Davis v. Washington, 547 U.S. 813 (2006)
DeJonge v. Oregon, 299 U.S. 353 (1937)
District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008)
Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477 (1981)
Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S. 478 (1964)
Escoe v. Zerbst, 295 U.S. 490 (1935)
Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976)
Ex parte Lange, 85 U.S. 163 (1873)
Ex parte Siebold, 100 U.S. 371 (1879)
Ex parte US, 242 US 27 (1916)
Felker v. Turpin, 518 U.S. 651 (1996)
Fernandez v. California, 571 U.S. 292 (2014)
Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429 (1991)
Florida v. JL, 529 U.S. 266 (2000)
Ford v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 399 (1986)
Frank v. Mangum, 237 U.S. 309 (1915)
Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923)
Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972)
Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778 (1973)
Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38 (2007)
Georgia v. Randolph, 547 U.S. 103 (2006)
Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963)
Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925)
Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989)
Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010)
Greenholtz v. Inmates of Nebraska Penal Complex, 442 U.S. 1 (1979)
Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976)
Griffin v. Wisconsin, 483 U.S. 868 (1987)
Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479 (1965)
Harmelin v. Michigan, 501 U.S. 957 (1991)
Harris v. United States, 331 U.S. 145 (1947)
Harris v. United States, 390 U.S. 234 (1968)
Horton v. California, 496 U.S. 128 (1990)
Hudson v. Michigan, 547 U.S. 586 (2006)
Hurst v. Florida, 577 U.S. ___ (2016)
Hurtado v. California, 110 U.S. 516 (1884)
Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983)
Illinois v. Krull, 480 U.S. 340 (1987)
Illinois v. Lidster, 540 U.S. 419 (2004)
Illinois v. MacArthur, 531 U.S. 326 (2001)
Illinois v. Perkins, 496 U.S. 292 (1990)
Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177 (1990)
Illinois v. Wardlow, 528 U.S. 119 (2000)
Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409 (1976)
In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967)
In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358 (1970)
Indianapolis v. Edmond, 531 U.S. 32 (2000)
J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel. T.B., 511 U.S. 127 (1994)
Jacobson v. United States, 503 U.S. 540 (1992)
Johnson v. Avery, 393 U.S. 483 (1969)
Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967)
Kelly v. California, No. 7-11073 (2008)
Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008)
Kent v. United States, 383 U.S. 541 (1966)
Klopfer v. North Carolina, 386 U.S. 213 (1967)
Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27 (2001)
Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992)
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971)
Louisiana ex rel. Francis v. Resweber, 329 U.S. 459 (1947)
Malley v. Briggs, 475 U.S. 335 (1986)
Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1 (1964)
Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643 (1961)
Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. 137 (1803)
Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325 (1990)
Massachusetts v. Sheppard, 468 U.S. 981 (1984)
Massiah v. United States, 377 U.S. 201 (1964)
McCleskey v. Zant, 499 U.S. 467 (1991)
McDonald v. Chicago, 561 U.S. 742 (2010)
Melendez v. United States, 518 U.S. 120 (1996)
Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, 557 U.S. 305 (2009)
Mempa v. Rhay, 389 U.S. 128 (1967)
Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz, 496 U.S. 444 (1990)
Michigan v. Bryant, 562 U.S. 344 (2011)
Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012)
Miller v. United States, 357 U.S. 301 (1958)
Minnesota v. Dickerson, 508 U.S. 366 (1993)
Minnesota v. Murphy, 465 U.S. 420 (1984)
Minnesota v. Olson, 495 U.S. 91 (1990)
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966)
Mistretta v. United States, 488 U.S. 361 (1989)
Moran v. Burbine, 475 U.S. 412 (1986)
Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471 (1972)
Muehler v. Mena, 544 U.S. 93 (2005)
Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478 (1986)
National Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab, 489 U.S. 656 (1989)
Near v. Minnesota, 283 U.S. 697 (1931)
Nebraska Press Assn. v. Stuart, 427 U.S. 539 (1976)
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)
New York v. Belton, 453 U.S. 454 (1981)
New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n, Inc., et al. v. Bruen (2022)
New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649 (1984)
Nix v. Whiteside, 475 U.S. 157 (1986)
Nix v. Williams, 467 U.S. 431 (1984)
Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56 (1980)
Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928)
Oregon v. Ice, 555 U.S. 160 (2009)
Palko v. Connecticut, 302 U.S. 319 (1937)
Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U. S. 808 (1991)
Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S. 817 (1974)
Pennsylvania Bd. of Probation and Parole v. Scott, 524 U.S. 357 (1998)
Ponte v. Real, 471 U.S. 491 (1985)
Procunier v. Martinez, 416 U.S. 396 (1974)
Rhodes v. Chapman, 452 U.S. 337 (1981)
Richards v. Wisconsin, 520 U.S. 385 (1997)
Richardson v. McKnight, 521 U.S. 399 (1997)
Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584 (2002)
Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338 (2007)
Robinson v. California, 370 U.S. 660 (1962)
Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005)
Samson v. California, 547 U.S. 843 (2006)
Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472 (1995)
Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194 (2001)
Schall v. Martin, 467 U.S. 253 (1984)
Schilb v. Kuebel, 404 U.S. 357 (1971)
Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298 (1995)
Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372 (2007)
Scott v. United States, 436 U.S. 128 (1978)
Silverthorne Lumber v. United States, 251 U.S. 385 (1920)
Smith v. Daily Mail Pub. Co., 443 U.S. 97 (1979)
Snyder v. Louisiana, 552 U.S. 472 (2008)
Sorrells v. United States, 287 U.S. 435 (1932)
South Dakota v. Opperman, 428 U.S. 364 (1976)
Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410 (1969)
Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985)
Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968)
The Crown v. Dudley and Stephens, 14 Q.B.D. 273 (1884)
Timbs v. Indiana, 586 U.S. ___ (2019)
United States v. Armstrong, et al 517 U.S. 456 (1996)
United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005)
United States v. Carll, 105 U.S. 611 (1881)
United States v. Grubbs, 547 U.S. 90 (2006)
United States v. Harris, 403 U.S. 573 (1971)
United States v. Knights, 534 U.S. 112 (2001)
United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897 (1984)
United States v. Martinez-Fuerte, 428 U.S. 543 (1976)
United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164 (1974)
United States v. Mendenhall, 446 U.S. 544 (1980)
United States v. Montoya de Hernandez, 473 U.S. 531 (1985)
United States v. O’Brien, 560 U.S. 218 (2010)
Van Orden v. Perry, 545 U.S. 677 (2005)
Vitek v. Jones, 445 U.S. 480 (1980)
Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72 (1977)
Warden v. Hayden, 387 U.S. 294 (1967)
Weeks v. United States, 232 U.S. 383 (1914)
Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996)
Williams v. Florida, 399 U.S. 78 (1970)
Williams v. New York, 337 U.S. 241 (1949)
Wilson v. Arkansas, 514 U.S. 927 (1995)
Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294 (1991)
Winston v Lee, 470 U.S. 753 (1985)
Wolf v. Colorado, 338 U.S. 25 (1949)
Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539 (1974)
Woodson v. North Carolina, 428 U.S. 280 (1976)
Wyoming v. Houghton, 526 U.S. 295 (1999)
Yarborough v. Alvarado, 541 U.S. 652 (2004)