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200+ Free CA CLS Criminal Law Practice Questions

Pass your California Certified Specialist — Criminal Law exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Key Facts: CA CLS Criminal Law Exam

453

Scaled Passing Score

California Board of Legal Specialization

75 MCQ + 8 essays

Exam Format

California Board of Legal Specialization

~8.5 hours

Exam Duration (Full Day)

California Board of Legal Specialization

$359 + $154

Exam + Application Fees

California Board of Legal Specialization (2026)

5 years

Minimum CA Practice Required

CBLS Criminal Law Standards

100

Free Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep

The CA CLS Criminal Law exam requires a scaled passing score of 453. The full-day exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and 8 essay questions covering CA Penal Code substantive offenses, criminal procedure, 4th/5th/6th Amendment doctrine, CA Evidence Code, sentencing law, and trial procedure. Eligibility requires 5+ years of California practice with at least 25% in criminal law, 45 hours of criminal-law MCLE within 3 years, peer references, and task experience. Application fee $154; exam fee $359. Certification is valid for 5 years, renewable.

Sample CA CLS Criminal Law Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CA CLS Criminal Law exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under California Penal Code §187, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being or a fetus with which of the following mental states?
A.Negligence
B.Recklessness alone
C.Malice aforethought
D.Specific intent only
Explanation: PC §187(a) defines murder as 'the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.' Malice may be express (intent to kill) or implied (PC §188 — conscious disregard for life, the natural consequences of an act that is dangerous to human life). The California Supreme Court applied this standard in People v. Knoller (2007) 41 Cal.4th 139.
2Under California Penal Code §189 as amended by SB 1437 (effective 2019), first-degree felony murder requires:
A.Any death during commission of any felony
B.The defendant was the actual killer, aided and abetted with intent to kill, or was a major participant acting with reckless indifference to human life
C.Negligent commission of the underlying felony
D.Only that the felony was inherently dangerous
Explanation: PC §189(e), as amended by SB 1437, narrowed felony-murder liability. A participant in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a qualifying felony is liable for murder only if (1) the person was the actual killer, (2) the person was not the actual killer but, with intent to kill, aided and abetted the actual killer, or (3) the person was a major participant in the underlying felony and acted with reckless indifference to human life under PC §190.2(d). People v. Banks (2015) and People v. Clark (2016) define 'major participant' and 'reckless indifference.'
3Under California Penal Code §192(a), voluntary manslaughter is distinguished from murder primarily by:
A.The absence of any intent to kill
B.The killing occurring during a felony
C.A heat of passion or imperfect self-defense negating malice
D.The use of a deadly weapon
Explanation: PC §192(a) defines voluntary manslaughter as an unlawful killing 'upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion.' California also recognizes 'imperfect self-defense' (unreasonable but honest belief in the need for self-defense) as negating malice and reducing murder to voluntary manslaughter, per People v. Flannel (1979) 25 Cal.3d 668 and PC §192(a). Both theories operate by negating malice, not by adding an element.
4Under California Penal Code §211, robbery is defined as the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from their person or immediate presence, against their will, accomplished by:
A.Force or fear
B.Deception only
C.Stealth only
D.Breaking and entering
Explanation: PC §211 defines robbery as 'the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear.' The force-or-fear element distinguishes robbery from grand theft (PC §487). Force used to retain property already taken can also satisfy the element under the Estes doctrine (People v. Estes (1983) 147 Cal.App.3d 23).
5Under California Penal Code §459, burglary requires:
A.A breaking and entering of a dwelling at night
B.Entry into a structure with intent to commit theft or any felony
C.Forcible entry only
D.Actual theft to be committed inside
Explanation: California's burglary statute (PC §459) is broader than common-law burglary. It requires entry into a building (or vehicle, vessel, etc.) with intent to commit grand or petty larceny or any felony. No breaking, nighttime, or completed theft is required. Entry of the requisite intent must coexist at the moment of entry. First-degree burglary applies to inhabited dwellings (PC §460(a)); all others are second-degree.
6Under California Penal Code §484, theft is committed by which of the following?
A.Larceny by trespassory taking only
B.Embezzlement only
C.False pretenses only
D.Larceny, embezzlement, false pretenses, or theft by trick — all consolidated into one offense
Explanation: PC §484 consolidates the historical theft offenses (larceny, embezzlement, larceny by trick, and theft by false pretenses) into a single crime of theft. The same statute applies, regardless of the specific factual theory. PC §490.2 (added by Prop 47, 2014) makes theft of property valued at $950 or less a misdemeanor in most cases, even where the property was taken from a person.
7Under California Penal Code §261, rape includes nonconsensual intercourse where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of:
A.Voluntary intoxication that does not affect the victim's awareness
B.A mental disorder or developmental/physical disability rendering the victim incapable, and that condition is known or reasonably should be known
C.Any disagreement after consent was initially given
D.Religious objection
Explanation: PC §261(a)(1) covers victims incapable of giving legal consent due to a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability, where the defendant knows or reasonably should know of that condition. Other §261 theories include force/violence/duress (a)(2), unconsciousness (a)(4), and intoxication that prevents resistance and is known to the defendant (a)(3). 'Consent' under PC §261.6 must be positive cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will.
8Under California Health and Safety Code §11350, simple possession of most controlled substances (e.g., cocaine, heroin) was reclassified by Proposition 47 (2014) as:
A.Always a felony
B.Always a misdemeanor (with limited exceptions for certain priors)
C.An infraction
D.A wobbler always charged as a felony
Explanation: Proposition 47 (2014) amended HSC §11350 to make simple possession of most controlled substances a misdemeanor, except for defendants with prior convictions for specified serious or violent felonies (PC §667(e)(2)(C)(iv) 'super strikes') or required to register as sex offenders under PC §290(c). Possession for sale (HSC §11351) remains a felony.
9Under California Penal Code §245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon (ADW) requires the defendant to commit:
A.An actual battery
B.An assault with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm, or by means likely to produce great bodily injury
C.An attempted murder
D.A simple battery with a weapon
Explanation: PC §245(a)(1) prohibits assault upon another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm, or by any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury (GBI). No actual injury is required — assault is an attempted battery with present ability (PC §240). PC §245(a)(2) covers assault with a firearm. ADW is a 'serious felony' under PC §1192.7(c)(23) when GBI is inflicted, and a strike.
10Under California Penal Code §273.5, domestic violence (corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant/dating partner) requires:
A.Any unwanted touching
B.Willful infliction of a traumatic condition
C.Threatening words only
D.Mental abuse alone
Explanation: PC §273.5 makes it a wobbler felony/misdemeanor to willfully inflict corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition on a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, dating partner, or parent of the defendant's child. 'Traumatic condition' is defined in PC §273.5(d) as any wound or external or internal injury, whether minor or serious, caused by physical force. People v. Beasley (2003) 105 Cal.App.4th 1078 confirms even minor injuries qualify.

About the CA CLS Criminal Law Exam

The California Certified Specialist — Criminal Law examination, administered by the California Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS), certifies experienced California criminal practitioners as specialists. The full-day exam combines 75 multiple-choice questions and 8 essay questions covering the full body of California substantive criminal law (Penal Code offenses, HSC drug statutes), criminal procedure (PC §§681 et seq., preliminary hearings, motions, speedy trial, Pitchess), constitutional criminal procedure (4th/5th/6th Amendments), Evidence Code as applied in criminal trials, sentencing (DSL, three strikes, enhancements, Realignment, Prop 47), and California-specific reform legislation (SB 1437, SB 567, AB 333, AB 3070, SB 16).

Questions

75 scored questions

Time Limit

~8.5 hours (75 MCQ + 8 essays in a single day)

Passing Score

453 scaled score

Exam Fee

$359 exam + $154 application (California Board of Legal Specialization (State Bar of California))

CA CLS Criminal Law Exam Content Outline

18%

Substantive Offenses (CA Penal Code)

Homicide (§§187-189, SB 1437 felony-murder reform), sex offenses (§§261-288), drug crimes (HSC §§11350-11352 post-Prop 47), theft (§§484-490), robbery (§211), burglary (§459), domestic violence (§273.5), gang allegations (§186.22)

16%

Criminal Procedure (CA Penal Code)

Charging (§§681, 859a/b — 10-day/60-day prelim limits), §995 motions, §1004 demurrer, §1054 discovery, §1382 speedy trial, Pitchess motions (EC §§1043-1047), §1473.7 immigration vacatur, §1203.4 expungement, §1172.6 SB 1437 resentencing

14%

4th Amendment & Search/Seizure

Warrants (PC §1524), exceptions (automobile, Chimel/Gant, Terry, Carroll), CA decisions (People v. Robles, People v. Bracamonte, People v. Williams), Riley/Jardines/Rodriguez digital and dog-sniff doctrine, exclusionary rule, Prop 8 Truth-in-Evidence, CalECPA

14%

5th/6th Amendment Rights

Miranda custodial interrogation, Edwards reinitation rule, invocation requirements (Davis), Massiah Sixth Amendment, Wade/Gilbert lineups, Manson identification reliability, Strickland IAC, Padilla immigration advice, Faretta self-rep, Marsden motions, PC §859.5/WIC §625.6 recording

14%

California Evidence Code

EC §1101 character ban + §1101(b) other-acts, §1108 (sex offense propensity), §1109 (DV propensity), hearsay system (§§1200, 1230, 1240), Crawford confrontation, attorney-client/marital privileges, Sanchez expert-hearsay limits, Kelly/Frye for new science, EC §352 balancing, Castro impeachment

12%

Sentencing & Enhancements

DSL §1170 (SB 567 — middle term presumptive), three strikes §667 (Prop 36 narrowing), gun enhancements §12022.53 (10-20-life), GBI §12022.7, gang §186.22 (AB 333), Realignment §1170(h), Romero/Prop 47/Prop 64, §3051 youth parole, §1170.03 recall, special circumstances §190.2

12%

Trial Procedure

Voir dire and Batson/Wheeler with new PC §231.7 (AB 3070 Racial Justice Act), CALCRIM instructions, motions in limine, §1093 trial order, §1118.1 acquittal motions, §1181 new trial motions, joinder/severance §954, §1237.5 certificate of probable cause

How to Pass the CA CLS Criminal Law Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 453 scaled score
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: ~8.5 hours (75 MCQ + 8 essays in a single day)
  • Exam fee: $359 exam + $154 application

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA CLS Criminal Law Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master California's substantial felony-murder narrowing (SB 1437, PC §§188, 189(e)) — liability requires actual killer, intent-to-kill aider/abettor, or major participant with reckless indifference; PC §1172.6 retroactive petitions are a heavy testing area
2Memorize Penal Code time deadlines cold: 10 court days for in-custody prelim (§859b) with absolute 60-day cap, 60 days felony speedy trial (§1382), 30 days discovery (§1054.7), and the §17(b) wobbler reduction windows
3For sentencing, internalize SB 567's reversal: the middle term is presumptive — upper term requires jury-found or stipulated aggravating facts. Pair with SB 81 enhancement-dismissal presumptions, SB 620 firearm-enhancement discretion, and Romero
4Distinguish CA-specific Fourth Amendment cases (Robles awareness, Bracamonte body cavities, Williams §1538.5 specificity) from federal baselines (Riley cellphones, Jardines curtilage, Rodriguez stop-prolongation, Leon good-faith)
5On Evidence Code, separate EC §1101 (general character ban) from §1108 (sex offense propensity) and §1109 (DV propensity) — both narrow exceptions subject to §352 balancing, both confirmed in Falsetta and progeny
6For peremptory challenges, study PC §231.7 (AB 3070) carefully — California's Batson-plus regime lists presumptively invalid reasons (inattentive, expressed distrust of police, criminal history of family) far broader than federal Batson

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does the CA Certified Specialist — Criminal Law exam cover?

The CBLS Criminal Law specialist exam covers California substantive criminal law (homicide PC §§187-189, including SB 1437 felony-murder reform; sex offenses PC §§261-288; HSC drug offenses post-Prop 47; theft, robbery PC §211, burglary PC §459; domestic violence §273.5; gang enhancements §186.22 post-AB 333), California criminal procedure (PC §§681, 859a/b, 995, 1004, 1054, 1382, 1538.5; Pitchess discovery), constitutional criminal procedure (4th Amendment with CA cases like People v. Robles and Bracamonte; Miranda/Edwards; Massiah; Wade/Gilbert identifications; Strickland/Padilla IAC), the California Evidence Code (§§1101, 1108, 1109, 1200, 1230, 1240, 352; Crawford confrontation; Sanchez expert hearsay; Kelly scientific evidence), sentencing law (DSL §1170 post-SB 567; three strikes §667 post-Prop 36; enhancements §§12022.53, 12022.7; Realignment §1170(h); Prop 47; PC §3051 youth parole; §1172.6 resentencing), and trial procedure (CALCRIM; Batson/Wheeler/PC §231.7; §1118.1 acquittal motions; §1181 new trial; §1237.5 appeal after plea).

Who is eligible to sit for the CA Criminal Law specialist exam?

Eligibility requires (1) active, good-standing California State Bar membership; (2) at least 5 years of practice with at least 25% in criminal law immediately preceding application; (3) task and experience requirements demonstrating substantial involvement in trials, motions, appeals, and plea matters; (4) 45 hours of criminal-law MCLE within 3 years; (5) peer references from judges and lawyers familiar with applicant's criminal practice; and (6) passing the CBLS written exam. The application package and the exam fee must be paid separately.

How is the CA Criminal Law specialist exam structured?

The CBLS Criminal Law exam is administered as a single full-day (approximately 8.5 hours) exam consisting of 75 multiple-choice questions and 8 essay questions. The MCQs test fast, doctrinal application across the full subject matrix; the essays test issue spotting, analysis, and writing on more complex problems. The scaled passing score is 453. Questions reflect California statutory and case authority — federal authority is tested only where California courts adopt or interpret it.

How much does the exam cost and how often is it offered?

The CBLS Criminal Law specialist exam costs $359 for the exam fee plus a $154 application fee (total approximately $513), with annual certification maintenance fees once certified. CBLS typically administers specialist examinations once per year (annual cycle). Failed applicants may generally retake at the next administration; the application package usually remains valid for one retake cycle without re-application.

How does this differ from the California Bar Exam?

The California Bar Exam is the foundational admission exam testing 13 subjects across the full range of legal practice — it is required for licensure. The CBLS Criminal Law specialist exam is taken after at least 5 years of post-admission practice and certifies expertise in criminal law specifically. The bar tests at a generalist level; CBLS tests deep mastery of California-specific criminal substantive law, procedure, evidence, sentencing reform legislation (SB 1437, SB 567, AB 333, AB 3070), and current case law. Specialists may hold themselves out as 'California Bar Certified Specialists' under State Bar Rule 1.8.