100+ Free King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure Practice Questions

Pass your King's Inns Barrister-at-Law - Criminal Procedure exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More King's Inns Barrister-at-Law

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Sample King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, what is the maximum initial period of detention permitted without an extension?

A.3 hours

B.6 hours

C.12 hours

D.24 hours

Explanation: Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 provides that where a person is arrested for an arrestable offence, they may be detained for an initial period of up to 6 hours. This period starts from the time of arrival at the Garda station.

2Who has the authority to grant the first 6-hour extension of detention under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984?

A.The Member in Charge of the Garda station

B.A Superintendent of the Garda Síochána

C.A Judge of the District Court

D.A Peace Commissioner

Explanation: Under Section 4(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, an officer of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent may direct that a person be detained for a further period not exceeding 6 hours (bringing the total to 12 hours). The member in charge authorises only the initial period of up to 6 hours.

3Which statutory amendment introduced the power for a Garda Chief Superintendent to extend Section 4 detention by a further 12 hours, bringing the maximum to 24 hours?

A.Criminal Justice Act 1999

B.Criminal Justice Act 2006

C.Criminal Law Act 1997

D.Bail Act 1997

Explanation: The Criminal Justice Act 2006 amended Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, allowing a Garda Chief Superintendent to authorize a further 12 hours of detention, extending the maximum possible detention under Section 4 to 24 hours (excluding rest periods).

4If a detained suspect consents to the suspension of detention to rest between midnight and 8:00 AM, what is the legal consequence for the calculation of the detention period?

A.The detention period continues to run normally.

B.The detention is deemed to have terminated, requiring immediate release.

C.The running of the detention period is suspended during these hours.

D.The detention period is automatically extended by a further 12 hours.

Explanation: Under Section 4(5A) of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (as amended), where a detained person consents to a rest period between midnight and 8:00 AM, the detention period is suspended and does not run during that time. It resumes at 8:00 AM.

5Under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, what is the initial period of detention permitted?

A.12 hours

B.24 hours

C.48 hours

D.72 hours

Explanation: Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 allows for an initial detention period of 24 hours for persons suspected of committing scheduled offences or offences under the Act.

6Who must authorize an extension of detention under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 to double the period to 48 hours?

A.A Superintendent of the Garda Síochána

B.A Chief Superintendent (or officer of higher rank)

C.A Judge of the High Court

D.A Judge of the Special Criminal Court

Explanation: Under Section 30(3) of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 (as amended), an extension of detention for a further 24 hours (making 48 hours in total) must be directed by an officer of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Chief Superintendent.

7What is the maximum period of detention allowed under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, including all judicial extensions?

A.48 hours

B.72 hours

C.5 days

D.7 days

Explanation: The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 allows for detention up to a maximum of 168 hours (7 days) in total. The initial 48 hours can be authorized by Gardai (first 24 by member in charge, next 24 by a Chief Superintendent), and further extensions must be granted by a Judge of the District or Circuit Court.

8Detention under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 applies to which type of offences?

A.Minor summary offences

B.Certain serious offences, including murder involving a firearm and gangland/organisation offences

C.Any indictable offence with a penalty of over 1 year

D.Revenue and tax fraud exclusively

Explanation: Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 provides for detention up to a maximum of 7 days (168 hours) for specific serious offences, such as murder involving a firearm, kidnapping, and offences related to a criminal organisation (gangland crime).

9According to the Supreme Court decisions in DPP v Healy and DPP v Gormley, what is the status of a suspect's right to consult a solicitor in custody?

A.It is a purely statutory right that can be suspended by a Superintendent.

B.It is a constitutional right, and interrogation must not begin until the suspect has had a reasonable opportunity to consult their solicitor.

C.It only applies once the suspect has been formally charged.

D.It permits the solicitor to speak, but they cannot advise the suspect to remain silent.

Explanation: DPP v Healy and DPP v Gormley established that the right of access to a solicitor is a constitutional right. Interrogation of a suspect who has requested a solicitor must be deferred until the suspect has had a reasonable opportunity to consult with them.

10What did the Supreme Court decide in DPP v Doyle (2017) regarding the physical presence of a solicitor during Garda interviews?

A.There is an absolute constitutional right to have a solicitor physically present in the room during all questioning.

B.There is no constitutional right to have a solicitor present in the room; access to legal advice only requires phone consultations.

C.While there is a right to consult a solicitor before interview, there is no automatic constitutional right to have the solicitor physically present in the room during the interview, though it is now allowed in practice.

D.A solicitor must be present, and if they leave the room, the interview is immediately void.

Explanation: In DPP v Doyle [2017] IESC 1, a majority of the Supreme Court held that the constitutional right to reasonable access to legal advice does not mandate the physical presence of a solicitor during the actual interrogation, although Gardai have since permitted it under administrative guidelines.

About the King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure Exam

The King's Inns Barrister-at-Law Criminal Procedure Exam tests candidates on the rules and practices of criminal procedure in Ireland, including arrest and detention powers, bail, indictable and summary trials, the rules of evidence, and sentencing and appeals.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

50%

Exam Fee

Free (The Honorable Society of King's Inns)

King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure Exam Content Outline

20%

Arrest & Detention Powers

Powers of arrest with or without warrant, statutory detention limits under Section 4 and Section 30, right to counsel, right to silence, and custody regulations.

20%

Bail & Jurisdiction

The Bail Act 1997, O'Callaghan rules, spousal compellability in bail, preventive detention, and the jurisdictions of the District, Circuit, Central, and Special Criminal Courts.

20%

Indictable & Summary Trials

Initiation of summary proceedings, Book of Evidence service, sending forward for trial, arraignment, jury selection and challenges, role of the DPP, and trial procedure.

20%

Rules of Evidence

The JC exclusionary rule, voluntariness of confessions, hearsay exceptions (res gestae, business records, dying declarations), visual identification, character evidence, and privilege.

20%

Sentencing & Appeals

Sentencing principles and proportionality, suspended sentences, victim impact statements, appeals de novo, appeals on transcript, and the Court of Appeal/Supreme Court pathways.

How to Pass the King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: Free

Keys to Passing

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

King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the key statutory sections: Section 4 CJA 1984, Section 30 OASA 1939, and Section 2 Bail Act 1997.

2Understand the shift in the exclusionary rule from DPP v O'Brien to the modern standard in DPP v JC.

3Learn the requirements for a valid caution and the drawing of adverse inferences under the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

4Study the procedural differences between summary trials in the District Court and indictable trials in the Circuit Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the King's Inns BL Criminal Procedure exam?

The exam is a written examination testing candidates on complex scenarios in Irish criminal procedure. It covers statutory powers, constitutional rights, and common law rules.

What is the passing score for the exam?

The passing score for the King's Inns Barrister-at-Law entrance examinations is 50%.