NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

When does a case become active?

1. A person has been arrested

2. An arrest warrant is issued

3. A summons is issued

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

A case becomes active as soon as there is an official step taken indicating that legal proceedings are underway. This can occur through various means: when a person is arrested, an arrest warrant is issued, or a summons is issued. Each of these actions signifies that the justice system is taking steps to address a potential crime. When a person is arrested, it means law enforcement has apprehended an individual based on suspicion of committing a crime, which initiates the legal process involving that individual. An arrest warrant being issued is a legal document that authorizes law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. This is a crucial moment that indicates the legal system's commitment to pursuing a case. A summons is also a significant step, as it officially notifies a person to appear in court, marking the commencement of legal proceedings related to a specific matter. Since each of these situations marks the initiation of a case within the court system, it is valid to conclude that a case becomes active in any of these scenarios.