Free DSST Criminal Justice Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the DSST Criminal Justice practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1What distinguishes a crime from conduct that is merely socially deviant?

   1. A.It breaches a social norm and draws informal sanctions.
   2. B.It violates official law and can receive formal sanctions.Correct answer: B
   3. C.It conflicts with a community's moral expectations.
   4. D.It departs from a customary practice without breaking law.

   Explanation: OpenStax states, "Crime, on the other hand, is a behavior that violates official law and is punishable through formal sanctions." Social disapproval, unconventional conduct, and moral disagreement do not by themselves establish a crime.

   Reference: Introduction to Sociology 2e, Crime and the Law — Crime and the Law, introductory discussion

2. 2In the United States legal system, what is a statute?

   1. A.A legal custom adopted through judicial decisions
   2. B.A charging document submitted by a prosecutor
   3. C.A law enacted by a legislative bodyCorrect answer: C
   4. D.A rule announced in a judicial opinion

   Explanation: The federal courts define a statute as "A law passed by a legislature." Court decisions, customs, and charges are distinct sources or procedural acts.

   Reference: Glossary of Legal Terms — Glossary, Statute

3. 3Which historical group did Henry Fielding organize to investigate crimes and pursue offenders?

   1. A.The Bow Street RunnersCorrect answer: A
   2. B.The colonial night watch
   3. C.The London Metropolitan Police
   4. D.The elected colonial constables

   Explanation: The COPS toolkit describes a group "called the Bow Street Runners" organized by Fielding and explains that they investigated crimes and prosecuted offenders.

   Reference: The Collaboration Toolkit for Community Organizations — Page 1, Origins of modern American policing

4. 4What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 do for the federal judiciary?

   1. A.It organized a system of Supreme, district, and circuit courts.Correct answer: A
   2. B.It created a system consisting solely of district and appellate courts.
   3. C.It organized a judiciary consisting solely of state courts.
   4. D.It made the Supreme Court the sole federal court.

   Explanation: The Federal Judicial Center states that "the Congress instituted a three-part judiciary consisting of the Supreme Court, U.S. district courts, and U.S. circuit courts."

   Reference: Judiciary Act of 1789 Defines Jurisdiction of Federal Courts — September 24, 1789

5. 5What did the Three Prisons Act of 1891 authorize?

   1. A.Establishment of the Bureau of Prisons to manage all federal institutions
   2. B.The first three federal penitentiariesCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Abolition of parole for federal sentences
   4. D.Creation of regional administrative offices of the Bureau of Prisons

   Explanation: The Bureau of Prisons identifies "the Three Prisons Act (1891), which authorized the first three federal penitentiaries".

   Reference: Historical Information — A storied past

6. 6Criminal law generally treats a prohibited offense as a wrong against which interest?

   1. A.A private plaintiff's contractual interest alone
   2. B.The defendant's private economic interests alone
   3. C.The public, society, or the stateCorrect answer: C
   4. D.A victim's private property interests alone

   Explanation: OpenStax explains, "Criminal law addresses behaviors that are offenses against the public, society, or state." A crime can harm a person, but the criminal law framing is a public wrong rather than only a private claim.

   Reference: Business Law I Essentials, Civil vs. Criminal Liability — Civil vs. Criminal Liability, Criminal and Civil Law

7. 7How do legal principles develop in the common-law tradition?

   1. A.Principles develop through a succession of judicial decisions.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Principles develop only through legislative enactments.
   3. C.Principles develop only through executive regulations.
   4. D.Principles develop through unrelated jury votes alone.

   Explanation: The courts explain, "Common law relies on the articulation of legal principles in a historical succession of judicial decisions." This distinguishes its development from legislation alone.

   Reference: Glossary of Legal Terms — Glossary, Common law

8. 8Which nineteenth-century development established a single policing authority in London under Sir Robert Peel?

   1. A.The County Police Act 1839
   2. B.The Metropolitan Police Act 1839
   3. C.The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829Correct answer: C
   4. D.The Municipal Corporations Act 1835

   Explanation: The toolkit states, "Sir Robert Peel established the first modern police force in England under the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829."

   Reference: The Collaboration Toolkit for Community Organizations — Page 2, Origins of modern American policing

9. 9Under the Judiciary Act of 1789, which federal courts served as trial courts for most federal criminal cases?

   1. A.The U.S. district courts alone
   2. B.The U.S. circuit courtsCorrect answer: B
   3. C.The U.S. courts of appeals
   4. D.The U.S. Supreme Court alone

   Explanation: The Federal Judicial Center states that "Congress established a system of circuit courts to serve as the trial courts for most federal criminal cases". This describes the historic circuit courts, not modern courts of appeals.

   Reference: The U.S. Circuit Courts and the Federal Judiciary — Historical overview

10. 10Why was the Federal Bureau of Prisons established in 1930?

    1. A.To oversee and administer the existing federal prison system consistentlyCorrect answer: A
    2. B.To return management of federal institutions to independent wardens
    3. C.To replace federal institutions with facilities operated only by counties
    4. D.To end standardized regulations across federal institutions

    Explanation: The Bureau history notes "the need for centralized administration and standardized regulations" and describes the creation of a DOJ agency to oversee federal prisons.

    Reference: Historical Information — A storied past