Criminal law worksheet with answers

Free printable Criminal law worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy

Automatism as a defence refers to:

  1. AActing without voluntary control over one's body
  2. BActing under the influence of strong anger
  3. CActing in the belief that the act is lawful
  4. DActing under threats from another person
2.Easy

An attempt to commit a crime means:

  1. APlanning a crime in detail and buying the equipment needed later to commit it
  2. BDoing more than merely preparatory acts with intent to commit the offence
  3. CCommitting the full offence
  4. DTalking to a friend about a crime
3.Easy

Which two elements usually make up a criminal offence?

  1. ADuty and breach
  2. BActus reus and mens rea
  3. COffer and acceptance
  4. DMotive and opportunity
4.Medium

The "thin skull" rule in criminal law means:

  1. AThe defendant must take the victim as they find them
  2. BOnly healthy victims are protected
  3. CA frail victim breaks the chain of causation
  4. DThe victim's injuries must be foreseeable in extent
5.Medium

D takes a college exam paper, reads it and returns it, planning to cheat. Following Oxford v Moss, D did not steal because:

  1. AD was a student at the college
  2. BExam papers have no economic value
  3. CConfidential information is not property under the Theft Act
  4. DThe paper itself was returned, so there was no intention to deprive
6.Medium

In English law, the test for dishonesty in theft is now set out in:

  1. AIvey v Genting Casinos
  2. BR v Ghosh
  3. CR v Cunningham
  4. DDonoghue v Stevenson
7.Hard

The principle of "ne bis in idem" means that:

  1. AAppeals are forbidden
  2. BEvery crime must be punished twice
  3. CA person cannot be tried or punished twice for the same offence
  4. DTwo judges must hear every case
8.Hard

In R v Gullefer (1990), D ran onto a greyhound track to get the race declared void and recover his bet. The Court of Appeal held:

  1. AAttempt requires the last act before the crime
  2. BHe was guilty of attempted theft, as running onto the track was more than preparatory
  3. CImpossibility gave him a complete defence
  4. DHis acts were merely preparatory, as he had not embarked on the "crime proper"

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Acting without voluntary control over one's body
  2. 2. B · Doing more than merely preparatory acts with intent to commit the offence
  3. 3. B · Actus reus and mens rea
  4. 4. A · The defendant must take the victim as they find them
  5. 5. C · Confidential information is not property under the Theft Act
  6. 6. A · Ivey v Genting Casinos
  7. 7. C · A person cannot be tried or punished twice for the same offence
  8. 8. D · His acts were merely preparatory, as he had not embarked on the "crime proper"

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