CLE Criminal Law Practice Test (5 Items with Answers and Rationales)
Preparing for the Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE)? Test your knowledge with this FREE Criminal Law Practice Test featuring board-style multiple-choice questions commonly encountered in the CLE.
Each question comes with the correct answer and a detailed rationale to help you understand the legal principles behind every item. Whether you’re a first-time examinee or a repeat taker, regular practice is one of the best ways to improve your performance on exam day.
Question 1
Bail shall automatically be cancelled upon:
- A. Acquittal of the accused
- B. Dismissal of the case
- C. Execution of the judgment of conviction
- D. All of these
Correct Answer
D. All of these
Rationale
Bail is a security given for the temporary release of an accused while ensuring his or her appearance before the court.
Bail is automatically cancelled when:
- The accused is acquitted.
- The criminal case is dismissed.
- The judgment of conviction has been executed.
These circumstances terminate the purpose of the bail bond because the accused is no longer entitled or required to remain on provisional liberty.
CLE Review Tip: Always remember the instances when bail is cancelled, as this is a favorite topic in Criminal Procedure.
Question 2
Prescription of offenses commences to run:
- A. Upon discovery of the crime by the offended party, peace officers, or their agents
- B. Upon filing of the case in court
- C. Upon escape of the accused
- D. Upon reappearance of the accused
Correct Answer
A. Upon discovery of the crime by the offended party, peace officers, or their agents
Rationale
The prescriptive period of a criminal offense begins upon the discovery of the crime by the offended party, peace officers, or their authorized agents.
The filing of the complaint or information interrupts the running of the prescriptive period.
CLE Review Tip: Distinguish between the prescription of crimes and the prescription of penalties.
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Question 3
The accused was charged with Serious Physical Injury because the injuries produced a scar. Decide.
- A. Serious Physical Injury is committed.
- B. Less Serious Physical Injury is committed.
- C. Maltreatment is committed.
- D. Slight Physical Injury is committed
Correct Answer
D. Slight Physical Injury is committed
Rationale
The existence of a scar alone does not automatically make the offense Serious Physical Injury.
The proper classification depends on the specific legal elements required by the Revised Penal Code, such as the duration of incapacity, medical attendance, and the effects of the injury.
Always evaluate all the facts stated in the problem before choosing the answer.
CLE Review Tip: Never rely on one descriptive word in Criminal Law questions. Analyze all the elements of the offense.
Question 4
What is the penalty to be imposed upon the principal of a frustrated crime?
- A. A penalty lower by two degrees than that prescribed for a consummated felony.
- B. A penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed for the consummated felony.
- C. A penalty lower by two degrees than that prescribed for the consummated felony.
- D. The penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed by law for the consummated felony shall be imposed.
Correct Answer
D. The penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed by law for the consummated felony shall be imposed
Rationale
Under Article 50 of the Revised Penal Code, the principal in a frustrated felony shall suffer a penalty one degree lower than that prescribed by law for the consummated felony.
Remember this pattern:
- Consummated → Full penalty
- Frustrated → One degree lower
- Attempted → Two degrees lower
CLE Review Tip: Memorize Articles 50–57 of the Revised Penal Code.
Question 5
Acts of a person which are said to be in accordance with the law, so that such person is deemed not to have transgressed the law and is free from both criminal and civil liability.
- A. Justifying Circumstances
- B. Mitigating Circumstances
- C. Exempting Circumstances
- D. Aggravating Circumstances
Correct Answer
A. Justifying Circumstances
Rationale
Justifying circumstances are situations where the law considers an act to be lawful even though it would otherwise constitute a crime.
Examples include:
- Self-defense
- Defense of relatives
- Defense of strangers
- State of necessity
- Fulfillment of duty
- Obedience to a lawful order
Because the act is considered lawful, the person incurs no criminal liability and no civil liability, except in cases specifically provided by law.
CLE Review Tip: Don’t confuse Justifying Circumstances with Exempting Circumstances. In exempting circumstances, criminal liability may be absent, but civil liability may still arise in certain cases.
Quick Review Summary
Before moving on to the next quiz, remember these important Criminal Law concepts:
✅ Bail is cancelled upon acquittal, dismissal of the case, or execution of judgment.
✅ Prescription of offenses begins upon discovery of the crime.
✅ The classification of physical injuries depends on the legal elements required by law.
✅ The penalty for a frustrated felony is one degree lower than that prescribed for the consummated felony.
✅ Justifying circumstances remove both criminal and civil liability because the act is considered lawful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this similar to the actual CLE board exam?
Yes. These questions are written in a board-exam format to help you become familiar with the types of questions commonly encountered in the Criminology Licensure Examination.
Why should I answer practice tests?
Practice tests improve retention, identify weak areas, and increase your confidence before the actual board examination.
How many CLE questions should I answer every day?
A good target is 30–50 questions daily, making sure to study the rationale after each item.
Where can I take more FREE CLE practice tests?
Visit the SLRC Online Reviewer to access hundreds of FREE Criminal Law questions with complete rationales.
👉 https://slrccalabarzon.com/onlinereviewer/course/view.php?id=7
Continue Your CLE Review
You may also want to review:
- Criminal Procedure
- Rules on Evidence
- Criminalistics
- Correctional Administration
- Law Enforcement Administration
- Jurisprudence
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