Constitutional Law MPTC Exam Questions &
Answers.
1st Amendment - Correct Answer Establishes freedom of religion, speech, press,
assembly, and petition.
Definition of religion under the 1st amendment - Correct Answer Citizens have the right
to worship a god or Supreme Being (Or not to hold such beliefs). The government
cannot require or force observations or compel citizens to follow any particular religion.
Definition of Speech under the 1st amendment - Correct Answer Protected speech
includes spoken and written words, the act of not speaking and symbolic conduct.
What are the following types of speech not protected by the 1st amendment? - Correct
Answer Obscenity, fighting words, threats, incendiary speech.
2nd Amendment - Correct Answer establishes the right to keep and bear arms.
Intended to keep and protect the individual’s right to possess personal firearm for lawful
purposes.
4th Amendment - Correct Answer Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures by the
government.
Definition of a Search - Correct Answer Physical invasion or intrusion of privacy by
police on people, homes or personal property to obtain info or gather evidence.
Definition of a seizure - Correct Answer When police take possession of property, make
an arrest, or restrict a person’s ability to move freely.
5th Amendment - Correct Answer Prohibits citizens from being punished for the same
offense twice (Double Jeopardy) from being compelled to testify against themselves
(Self-Incrimination) provides the right to indictment for certain types of offenses by a
grand jury and guarantees due process of law.
6th Amendment - Correct Answer Requires all persons charged with a crime be
informed of charges against them. People charged with a crime have a right to council
and right to a speedy trial by impartial jury.
8th Amendment - Correct Answer Protects people from excessive bail and fines and
prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
14th Amendment - Correct Answer Provided the people of all states the right to "Due
Process" and Equal Protection" under the law.
Definition of Due Process - Correct Answer Notice and opportunity to be heard fairly.
, Definition of Constitutional Law - Correct Answer Basic law of the land
Bill of Rights definition - Correct Answer First 10 amendments to the Constitution
US constitution definition - Correct Answer Supreme Law of the land 7 articles 27
amendments
Massachusetts constitution Definition - Correct Answer The commonwealth’s document
that describes how state government is structured and articulates the rights of all
residents.
Mass Constitution Article 12 (XII) Definition - Correct Answer No Subject shall be held to
answer for any crimes or offense, until the same is fully and plainly, substantially and
formally, described to him; or be compelled to accuse, or furnish evidence against him.
And no subject shall be arrested, imprisoned, despoiled, or deprived of his property,
immunities, or privileges, put out of the protection of the law, exiled, or deprived of his
life, liberty, or estate, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land.
Mass constitution Article 14 (XIV) - Correct Answer Every subject has a right to be
secure from all unreasonable searches, and seizures, of his person, his house, his
papers, and all his possessions.
Statutory Law - Correct Answer Written and enacted by legislative branches of state or
federal governments. Declare, command, or prohibit something.
Case Law - Correct Answer Decisions by federal and mass courts, primarily the U.S.
Supreme Court, the SJC, and Mass appeals court.
Objective - Correct Answer "Others" - What a reasonable person would do, act, or
believe
Subjective - Correct Answer "Self" - What an individual person did or believed
Reasonable Suspicion - Correct Answer Must be based on specific and articulable facts
which, when taken together, would convince a person of reasonable caution to believe
that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime.
Probable Cause - Correct Answer Trustworthy facts and circumstances sufficient to
convince a person of reasonable caution to believe that it is more likely than not.
Probable Cause - in the case of a search. - Correct Answer a specific item subject to
seizure will be found in the place to be searched.
Probable Cause - in the case of an arrest - Correct Answer A crime has been committed
and the person to be arrested has committed it.
