SkillsUSA Texas Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl Study Guide

What's the primary mission of law enforcement in the United States?

To protect life, liberty, and property

Which level of government is primarily responsible for enforcing local ordinances?

Local government

The FBI is a part of which federal department?

a. Department of Justice

b. Department of Homeland Security

c. Department of Defense

d. State Department

a. Department of Justice

The sheriff is typically the chief law enforcement officer of a county. True or False?

True

What are the three components of the criminal justice system?

Police, courts, corrections

Which type of patrol is most effective in increasing officer visibility?

a. Foot patrol

b. Vehicle patrol

c. Air patrol

d. K-9 patrol

a. Foot patrol

The "chain of custody" refers to what?

Documentation of evidence handling to ensure integrity.

Which US agency is responsible for enforcing immigration laws?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

What's the minimum age to be licensed as a peace officer in Texas?

21 years old

Municipal police departments have jurisdiction across the entire state of Texas. True or False?

False

What's community policing?

Partnership between police and community to solve problems.

Which amendment of the US Constitution protects against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment?

8th amendment

What does "probable cause" mean in law enforcement?

Reasonable belief a crime was committed.

What's the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

Felony's punishable by prison; misdemeanor's a lesser offense.

What does POST stand for in law enforcement training?

Peace Officer Standards and Training

What case established the principle of judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison

In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), what rights must police advise suspects of?

Right to remain silent, right to an attorney.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) applied which rule to the states?

Exclusionary Rule

Terry v. Ohio (1968) allows a police officer to stop and frisk based on reasonable suspicion. True or false?

True

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established the right to what?

Right to counsel in felony cases

What was the ruling in New Jersey v. TLO (1985)?

Schools may search students with reasonable suspicion.

Which case ruled that evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court?

Mapp v. Ohio

In Tennessee v. Garner (1985), what was the ruling about deadly force?

Limits deadly force against fleeing suspects.

Which case extended the right to remain silent to juveniles?

In re Gault

What did Riley v. California (2014) determine about cell phone searches?

Police need a warrant to search cell phones.

What's significant about Rodriguez v. United States (2015)?

Stops may not be prolonged beyond traffic purpose without suspicion.

Escobedo v. Illinois strengthened the right to counsel during police interrogations. True or false?

True

Which case's known as the "stop and frisk" case?

Terry v. Ohio

Which case set the precedent for "inevitable discovery"?

Nix v. Williams

What's the importance of Katz v. United States (1967)?

Expectation of privacy (wiretap)

Which amendment guarantees due process?

5th and 14th amendments

What's habeus corpus?

Court order requiring a person be in custody to be brought before court.

The 5th amendment protects against self-incrimination. True or false?

True

What's "double jeopardy"?

Being tried twice for the same crime

Which amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial?

6th Amendment

What's the exclusionary rule?

Excludes illegally obtained evidence

What's the "plain view doctrine"?

Allows seizure of evidence in plain view

Which amendment gives the right to bear arms?

2nd amendment

Police officers may always search a person's home without a warrant. True or false?

False

What are exigent circumstances in search and seizure law?

Emergency situations justifying warrantless action.

What amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

26th Amendment

Which constitutional amendment ended slavery?

13th Amendment

What's the 14th amendment known for?

Equal protection and due process

Which amendment lowered the presidential voting eligibility to 18 years old?

26th Amendment

What does "beyond a reasonable doubt" mean?

Proof beyond doubt that would cause a reasonable person to hesitate

What's the maximum legal BAC for drivers over 21 in Texas?

0.08%

A minor with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system is in violation of Texas law. True or false?

True

What's the speed limit in an active Texas school zone (unless otherwise posted)?

20 mph

What does DWI stand for?

Driving While Intoxicated

What's the penalty for refusing a breath test in Texas?

License suspension

At a 4-way stop, who has the right of way if two vehicles arrive at the same time?

Driver on the right

What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

Stop, then go when safe.

Texting while driving's banned statewide in Texas. True or False?

True

When must headlights be turned on in Texas?

From sunrise or sunset, or poor visibility

What's an open container violation?

Open alcohol in vehicle passenger area

How old must a child be before they can ride without a booster seat in Texas?

8 years or 4'9"

What does a solid yellow line on the road mean?

No passing

What's the Move Over/Slow Down law in Texas?

Slow or move over for emergency vehicles.

What type of license's required to operate a motorcycle in Texas?

Class M license

What's the minimum insurance coverage required in Texas for liability (30/60/25) referring to?

$30k/$60k/$25k liability license

What's the punishment range for a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?

Fine up to $500

Capital murder's punishable by life without parole or death. True or false?

True

Theft of property valued at $2500 or more but less than $30,000 is what level offense in Texas?

State jail felony

What's the legal definition of assault?

Causing injury or threat of harm

Burglary involves entering a habitation or building with intent to commit what?

Theft, assault, or felony

What's the difference between aggravated robbery and robbery?

Aggravated includes deadly weapon or serious harm

What does the Penal Code classify as "deadly conduct"?

Conduct creating danger or injury with firearm

What's the punishment for public intoxication in Texas?

Class C misdemeanor

What does the term "reckless" mean in criminal law?

Aware but disregards risk

What's entrapment?

Inducing crime suspect otherwise not inclined to commit

What's the statute of limitations for murder in Texas?

No limitation

Sexual assault is considered a felony in Texas. True or false?

True

What's the penalty for evading arrest with a vehicle?

State jail felony

What's criminal trespass?

Entering property without consent

What's the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Texas?

10 years old

What must an officer have to obtain a warrant?

Probable cause

What are the three levels of police encounters?

Consensual encounter, detention, arrest

An officer must read Miranda rights immediately upon arrest. True or False?

False

What's the difference between a frisk and a search?

Frisk = weapons pat-down; search = full evidence search

When's a warrantless arrest permitted?

If offense committed in presence or felony with probable cause

What does "stop and frisk" allow an officer to search for?

Weapons

What are the requirements for a lawful traffic stop?

Reasonable suspicion

Can evidence found during an unlawful search be used in court?

No

What's an custodial investigation?

Questioning of a suspect in custody

When must an officer present a suspect before a magistrate in Texas?

Without unnecessary delay, usually within 48 hours

What's the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?

Probable cause = arrest/search; reasonable suspicion = brief detention

Officers may search a vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause. True or false?

True

What does exigent circumstances mean?

Emergency circumstances

What's a "protective sweep"?

Quick search for dangerous persons

What year was SkillsUSA founded?

1965

What was SkillsUSA's original name?

VICA

What are the official SkillsUSA colors?

Red, White, Blue, and Gold

What's the SkillsUSA motto?

Preparing for leadership in the world of work

What are the three components of the SkillsUSA framework?

Personal skills, workplace skills, and Technical skills.

What does the SkillsUSA emblem's shield represent?

Patriotism

Who's the SkillsUSA Texas State Director (current as of 2024-25)?

Kenneth Gaas

Where's the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held annually?

Atlanta, Georgia

What's the SkillsUSA pledge?

Upon my honor, I pledge:

To prepare myself by diligent study and ardent practice to become a worker whose services will be recognized as honorable by my employer and fellow workers.

To base my expectations of reward upon the solid foundation of service.

To honor and respect my vocation in such a way as to bring repute to myself.

And further, to spare no effort in upholding the ideals of SkillsUSA.

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization (CTSO). True or false?

True