Criminal Procedure Addu Memo Aid

7/28/2019 Criminal Procedure Addu Memo Aid

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CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Rule 110 PROSECUTION of Offenses

1. General Rule: MTC and RTC courts gain jurisdiction over the offense upon the filing of complaint by acomplainant or an information by the prosecuting officer

Court gains jurisdiction over the person of the accused upon arrest or surrender; such jurisdiction once gainedcannot be lost even if accused escapes (Gimenez vs. Nazareno)

Jurisdiction of the court over the offense is determined at the time of the institution of the action and is

retained even if the penalty for the offense is later lowered or raised (People vs. Lagon)

2. Complaintsworn written statement charging a person with an offense, subscribed by the offended party,any peace officer or other public official charged with the enforcement of the law violated

Informationaccusation in writing charging a person with an offense, subscribed by the fiscal and filed with

the court

3. Complaint and Information distinguished:

Complaint Information

A sworn statement Need not be sworn to

Subscribed by the offended party, any peaceofficer or other officer charged with the

enforcement of the law violated

Subscribed to by the fiscal

May be filed either with the court or in the

fiscals office generally to commence thepreliminary investigation of the charges

made

Filed with the court

4. Cases where civil courts of equal rank are vested with concurrent jurisdiction:

1. Features stated in Art. 2, RPC Cognizable by proper court in which charge is first filed

1. Continuing crimes committed in different judicial regions2.

Offenses wherein any of the essential elements were committed in different territorial jurisdictions


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3. Offenses committed aboard a train, vehicle, aircraft or vessel (see R110, 15)i. Railroad, train, aircraft

(1) Territory or municipality where vehicle passed

(2) Place of departure

(3) Place of arrival

ii. Vessel

(1) First port of entry

(2) Thru which it passed during voyage

e. Libel and written defamation

5. Remedies of offended party when fiscal unreasonably refuses to file an information or include a person

therein as an accused

1. In case of grave abuse of discretion, action formandamus2. Lodge a new complaint against the offenders3. Take up matter with the Secretary of Justice4. Institute administrative charges against the erring fiscal5. File criminal charges under Art. 208, RPC (prosecution of offenses)6. File civil action under Art. 27, NCC for damages (PO refuses or neglects to perform official duty)7. Secure appointment of another fiscal8. Institute another criminal action if no double jeopardy is involved

6. Writs of injunction or prohibition to restrain a criminal prosecution are not available, EXCEPT

1. To afford adequate protection to constitutional rights of accused2. Necessary for the orderly administration of justice or to avoid oppression or multiplicity of actions3. Pre-judicial question which issub judice4. Acts of the officer are without or in excess of authority5. Prosecution is under an invalid law, ordinance or regulation6. Double jeopardy is clearly apparent7. Court has no jurisdiction over the case8. Case of persecution rather than prosecution9. Charges are manifestly false and motivated by lust for vengeance10.Clearly noprima facie case against the accused and MTQ on that ground had been denied

7. Institution of Criminal Actions:

a. In RTC:

By filing a complaint with the appropriate officer for the purpose of conducting requisite preliminaryinvestigation therein.

b. In Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts:

By filing the complaint or information directly with said courts, or a complaint with the fiscals office

c. In Metropolitan Trial Courts

By filing the complaint ONLY with the office of the fiscal

In all 3 above cases, such institution shall interrupt the period of prescription of the offense charged (Rule

110, 1)

d. Offenses subject to summary procedure


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[i.e. (1) violation of traffic laws; (2) violation of rental laws; (3) violation of municipal or city ordinances; and(4) criminal cases where the penalty does not exceed 6 months or fine of P1000 or both, irrespective of other

imposable penalties and civil liabilities]

The complaint or information shall be filed directly in court without need of a prior preliminary examinationor preliminary investigation.

Zaldivia vs. Reyessince a criminal case covered by the Rules of Summary Procedure shall be deemed

commenced only when it is filed in court, then the running of the prescriptive period shall be halted on the datethe case is actually filed in court and not on any date before that.

Reodica vs. CA[clarifiesZaldivia above] Under Art. 91 of the RPC, the period of prescription shall beinterrupted by the filing of the complaint or information. It does not distinguish whether the complaint is filed

for preliminary examination or investigation only, or for an action on the merits. Thus, the filing of thecomplaint even with the fiscals office should suspend the running of the Statute of Limitations. The ruling in

Zaldivia is not applicable to all cases subject to the Rules on Summary Procedure, since that particular caseinvolved a violation of an ordinance. Therefore, the applicable law therein was not Art. 91 of the RPC, but Act

No. 3326 (An Act to Establish Periods of Prescription for Violations Penalized by Special Acts and MunicipalOrdinances and to Provide when Prescription Shall Begin to Run), 2 of which provides that period of

prescription is suspended only when judicial proceedings are instituted against the guilty party.

8. Contents of information

a. Name of the accused

Information may be amended as to the name of the accused, but such amendment cannot be questioned for

the first time on appeal (People vs. Guevarra)

Error of name of the offended party: if material to the case, it necessarily affects the identification of the actcharged. Conviction for robbery cannot be sustained if there is a variance between the allegation and the proof

as to the ownership of the property stolen.

b. Designation of offense by statute (or of section/subsection of statute violated)

Only one offense charged, EXCEPT where law prescribes a single punishment for various offenses.

If facts do not completely allege all the elements of the crime charged, the info may be quashed; however, the

prosecution is allowed to amend the info to include the necessary facts (People vs. Purisima)

c. Acts or omissions complained of constituting the offense

Information need only allege facts, not include all the evidence which may be used to prove such facts(Balitaan vs. CFI)

d. Name of offended party

e. Approximate time of commission

Approximation of time is sufficient; amendment as to time is only a formal amendment; no need to dismiss

case (People vs. Molero)

A significant discrepancy in the time alleged cannot be sustained since such would allow the prosecution to

prove an offense distantly removed from the alleged date, thus substantially impairing the rights of the accusedto be informed of the charges against him (People vs. Reyes)

f. Place of commission

Conviction may be had even if it appears that the crime was committed not at the place alleged, provided that

the place of actual commission was within the courts jurisdiction and accused was not surprised by thevariance between the proof and the information

Qualifying and inherent aggravating circumstances need to be alleged as they are integral parts of the

crime. If proved, but not alleged, become only generic aggravating circumstances.


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9. Amendment of information and Substitution of information, distinguished

Amendment Substitution

Involves either formal or substantial changes Necessarily involves a substantial change

Without leave of court if before plea Needs leave of court as original informationhas to be dismissed

Where only as to form, there is no need for

another preliminary investigation andretaking of plea of accused

Another preliminary investigation is entailed

and accused has to plead anew

Refers to the same offense charged or whichnecessarily includes or is necessarily

included in original charges, hence,substantial amendments to info after plea

taken cannot be made over objections ofaccused for if original info is withdrawn,

accused could invoke double jeopardy

Requires or presupposes that new infoinvolves a different offense which does not

include or is not included in the originalcharge, hence, accused cannot claim double

eopardy

10. After plea, amendment only as to matters of form, provided

1. Leave of court is obtained; and2. Amendment is not prejudicial to rights of accused

11. When amendment is only as to form

1. Neither affects or alters nature of offense charged2. Charge does not deprive accused of a fair opportunity to present his defense3. Does not involve a change in basic theory of prosecution

12. Exceptions to rule on venue

1. Felonies in Art. 2, RPC (cognizable by proper court in which charge is first filed)2. Continuing offenses3. Piracy which is triable anywhere4. Libel (residence; or where first published)5. In exceptional cases, to ensure fair trial and impartial inquiry

13. Special cases (who may prosecute)

a. Adultery and concubinage

Only offended spouse can be complainant

Both guilty parties must be included in complaint

b. Crimes against chastity

With consent of the offended party, offended spouse, grandparents, guardian, or state asparens patriae, in

that order

Offended party, even if minor, has right to initiate the prosecution of the case independently of parents,grandparents or guardian, unless she is incompetent/incapable on grounds other than minority.

If offended party who is a minor fails to file the complaint, her parents, grandparents or guardian may do so.

In crimes against chastity, the consent of the victim is a jurisdictional requirementretraction renders theinformation void (People vs. Ocapan)

If complexed with a public crime, the provincial fiscal may sign the complaint on his own

c. Defamation (consisting of imputation of offenses in [a] or [b])

Complainant must be offended party


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The offended party may intervene in the prosecution of the criminal case because of her interest in it (Banalvs. Tadeo)

14. Procedure

1. Complaint filed in MTC or info filed in RTC where an essential ingredient of the crime took place(territorial jurisdiction)

1. Amendment as a matter of right before plea2. Amendment upon discretion of the court after plea

Inclusion of other accused is only a formal amendment which would not be prejudicial to the accused and

should be allowed (People vs. CA)

d. After plea and before judgment, if it appears there was a mistake in charging proper offense, court shalldismiss original info upon the filing of a corrected one, provided that the accused will not be placed in double

jeopardy (substitution)

Fiscal determines direction of prosecution; complainant must ask fiscal if he wants to dismiss the case; themotion to dismiss must be addressed to the court which has discretion over the disposition of the case (Republic

vs. Sunga)

Objection to the amendment of an information or complaint must be raised at the time the amendment is

made; otherwise, deemed to have consented thereto.

15. Remedies

a. Motion to quash

May be filed after arraignment but before plea on the grounds provided by the rules (generally, a flaw in the

info)

If duplicity of offense charged is not raised in trial through a motion to quash info, the right to question it iswaived (People vs. Ocapan)

b. Motion to dismiss

May be filed after plea but before judgment on most of grounds for motion to quash

16. Duplicity of Offense (in information or complaint)

Defined as the joinder of separate and distinct offenses in one and the same information/complaint

Remedy: file a motion to quash; failure is equivalent to a waiver

Exception: when existing laws prescribe a single punishment (complex crimes)

Rule 111 Prosecution of Civil Action

1. General Rule: The injured party may file a civil action independent of the criminal proceeding to recoverdamages from the offender.

Article 32 is a valid cause of a civil action for damages against public officers who impair the Constitutional

rights of citizens (Aberca vs. Ver)

Even if the private prosecutor participates in the prosecution, if he is not given the chance to prove damages,the offended party is not barred from filing a separate civil action

2. Civil action for recovery of civil liability impliedly instituted, EXCEPT

1. Waiver2. Reservation of right to institute separate action3. Institution of civil action prior to criminal action


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NOTE: Under SC Circular 57-97, all criminal actions for violations of BP Blg. 22 shall be deemed tonecessarily include the corresponding civil action, and no reservation to file such civil action separately shall be

allowed or recognized.

San Ildefonso Lines vs. CApast pronouncements of the SC that the requirement in Rule 111 that areservation be made prior to the institution of an independent civil action is an unauthorized amendment to

substantive law is now no longer controlling. Far from altering substantive rights, the primary purpose of thereservation requirement is to avoid multiplicity of suits, to prevent delays, to clear congested dockets, to

simplify the work of the trial court, and in short, the attainment of justice with the least expense and vexation toparties-litigants.

3. Civil action suspended when criminal action filed, EXCEPT

1. Independent civil action (Arts. 32, 33, 34 and 2176 of NCC)2. Prejudicial civil action3. Civil case consolidated with criminal action4. Civil action not one intended to enforce civil liability arising from the offense (e.g., action for legal

separation against a spouse who committed concubinage)

4. Prejudicial question arises when

1. The civil action involves an issue similar or intimately related to the issue raised in the criminal action2. The resolution of such issue will determine whether the criminal action will proceed or not

Requisites for a prejudicial question:

1. The civil action involves an issue similar or intimately related to the issue raised in the criminal action:and

2. The resolution of such issue determines whether or not the criminal action may proceed Petition for suspension of criminal action is to be filed at any time before prosecution rests.

5. Remedies

a. Reservation of right to institute separate civil proceedings to recover civil liability arising from crime

Must be made before prosecution presents evidence

Action instituted only after final judgment in criminal action

b. Petition to suspend the criminal action

May be filed upon existence of a prejudicial question in a pending civil action

Filed at any time before the prosecution rests

6. Extinction of penal action does not carry with it extinction of the civil unless the extinction proceeds from a

declaration in a final judgment that the fact from which the civil might arise did not exist.

Final judgment in civil absolving defendant from civil liability not a bar to criminal action

7. Filing fees:

1. Actual or compensatory damagesfiling fees not required2. Moral, temperate and exemplaryfiling fees required1. If alleged, fees must be paid by offended party upon filing of complaint or information

1. If not alleged, filing fees considered a first lien on the judgmentRule 112 Preliminary Investigation


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1. Preliminary investigationinquiry or proceeding to determine if there is sufficient ground to engender awell-founded belief that a crime cognizable by the RTC has been committed, and that the respondent is

probably guilty thereof, and should be held for trial

A preliminary investigation is only necessary for an information to be filed with the RTC; complaints may befiled with the MTC without need of an information, which is merely recommendatory (Tandoc vs. Resultan)

Absence of a preliminary investigation is NOT a ground for a motion to quash the information; an

information filed without a preliminary investigation is defective but not fatal; in its absence, the accused mayask for one; it is the fiscals refusal to conduct a preliminary investigation when the accused demands one which

is a violation of the rights of the accused (Doromal vs. Sandiganbayan). Court should not dismiss the info, buthold the case in abeyance and either: (1) conduct its own investigation; or (2) require the fiscal to hold a

reinvestigation.

2. GENERAL RULE: The fiscal conducts the preliminary investigation before filing an information with the

RTC,EXCEPTwhere the accused is lawfully arrested without a warrant and an inquest is conducted.

3. Right to Preliminary Investigation

A personal right and may be waived

Waived by failure to invoke the right prior to or at least at the time of the plea

4. Who conducts Preliminary Investigation

1. Provincial or city fiscals and their assistants2. Judges of MTC and MCTC3. National and regional state prosecutors4. Such other officers as may be authorized by law5. Duly authorized legal officers of COMELEC

1. The Ombudsman2. The PCGG, in cases of ill-gotten wealth

5. Procedure

a. If conducted prior to arrest

i. Complainant files complaint with

(a) Provincial or city fiscal

(b) Regional or state prosecutor

(c) MTC or MCTC judge, excluding MTC judge of Metro Manila or chartered cities

(d) Other offices authorized by law

1. Investigating officer either dismisses complaint or asks by subpoena complainant and respondent tosubmit affidavits and counter-affidavits

1. If the investigating officer findsprima facie evidence, he prepares an information and aresolution

i.e., if fiscal finds reasonable ground to believe that a crime has been committed and accused is probablyguilty thereof

Prima facie evidence is that evidence which, standing alone, unexplained and uncontradicted, would be

enough to merit a conviction of the accused

iv. Otherwise, he recommends the dismissal of the complaint

If the investigating officer is an MTC judge, and he finds that probable cause exists and that there is a need to

place the accused under custody, then he may issue a warrant of arrest


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Flores vs. SumalingWhat differentiates the present rule from the previous one is that while before, it wasmandatory for the investigating judge to issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused if he found probable cause,

the rule now is that the investigating judges power to order the arrest of the accused is limited to instances inwhich there is a necessity for placing him in custody in order not to frustrate the ends of justice. It is

therefore error for the investigating judge to order the issuance of a warrant of arrest solely on his finding ofprobable cause, without making any finding of a necessity to place the accused in immediate custody to prevent

a frustration of justice.

1. Investigating officer forwards records to the city fiscal or chief state prosecutor1. City fiscal or state prosecutor either dismisses the complaint or files the information in court

Decision prevails over decision of the MTC judge

vii. Records will not form records of the case proper

Court on its own or on motion may order production of record

b. If conducted after warrantless arrest

1. If accused waives Art. 125, RPC and asks for a preliminary investigation, with the assistance of counsel,then the procedure for one prior to arrest is followed

1. Inquest conducted as follows(a) Fiscal determines the validity of the arrest

(b) Fiscal determines existence ofprima facie evidence based on the statements of the complainant, arresting

officer and witnesses

(c) Fiscal either dismisses the complaint and orders the immediate release of the accused, OR prepares and files

an information

While fiscal has quasi-judicial discretion whether or not to file an information, once it is filed with the court,the court acquires jurisdiction giving it discretion over the disposition of the case and the Sec. of Justice should

refrain from entertaining petitions for review or appeals from the decision of fiscal (Crespo vs. Mogul;Velasquez vs. Undersecretary of Justice)

NOTE: Information may be filed by offended party, peace officer or fiscal without preliminary investigation.

6. Remedies

a. Motion for preliminary investigation

Filed when accused is arrested without warrant

Must be with assistance of counsel and after waiving Art. 125, RPC

b. Motion for preliminary investigation

Filed within 5 days after accused learns an information against him has been filed without a preliminary

investigation

c. Motion for re-investigation

d. Appeal to DOJ

Filed upon denial of his motion for a preliminary investigation, on the ground that his rights to due process oflaw were violated, ousting the court of jurisdiction

e. Petition for prohibition

Filed with appellate court to stop the criminal proceedings

Ordinarily, injunction will not lie but may be granted in certain cases


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When prohibition proper to restrain criminal proceedings:

1. When strong-arm tactics are used for vindictive purposes (Salonga vs. Cruz-Pano)2. When the accused is deprived of his rights3. When the statute on which the charge is based is null and void4. When it will aid the administration of justice (Tatad vs. Sandiganbayan)5. When multiplicity of suits will be avoided (Guingona vs. City Fiscal)

Rule 113 Arrest

1. Arresttaking a person into custody in order that he may be bound to answer for the commission of some

offense, made by an actual restraint of the person or by his submission to custody

2. General Rule: No person may be arrested without a warrant.

Not all persons detained are arrested; only those detained to answer for an offense.

Invitations are not arrests and are usually not unconstitutional, but in some cases may be taken as

commands (Babst vs. NBI); however, the practice of issuing an invitation to a person who is investigated in

connection with an offense he is suspected to have committed is considered as placing him under custodialinvestigation. (RA 7438)

Warrants of arrest remain valid until arrest is effected, or the warrant is lifted

Arrest may be made at any time of the day or night

3. Warrantless arrests by a peace officer or a private person

a. When person to be arrested is committing, attempting or has committed an offense

b. When an offense has just been committed and the person making the arrest has personal knowledge that theperson to be arrested committed it

Warrantless arrest anytime for a continuing offense like rebellion, subversion (Umil vs. Ramos)

The continuing crime, not the crime finally charged, needs only be the cause of the arrest (Umil vs. Ramos)

c. When person to be arrested is an escaped detainee (either serving sentence or with case pending)

1. When a person lawfully arrested escapes2. Bondsman, for purpose of surrendering the accused3. Accused attempts to leave country without court permission

4. Procedure

a. With warrant

1. Complainant files application with affidavits attached2. Judge conducts ex parte preliminary examination to determine probable cause

In determining probable cause, judge must:

(1) Personally examine witness

(2) Witness must be under oath

(3) Examination must be reduced to writing (Luna vs. Plaza)

In determining probable cause, the judge may rely on findings by responsible officer (Lim vs. Felix)

iii. Judge issues warrant of arrest

If without preliminary examination, considered irregular (Bagcal vs. Villaraza)


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iv. If peace officer is unable to serve warrant 10 days after issuance, he must file a report and explanation withjudge within 10 days

v. If warrant served

(1) Person informed that he is being arrested

(2) Informed of cause of his arrest

(3) Officer may break door or window if admission to building is refused

(4) Person physically restrained

For private citizens making an arrest

May not do so except to do some service to humanity or justice

(5) No violence or unnecessary force may be used

(6) Officer may summon assistance

(7) Person who escapes after arrest may be immediately pursued

vi. Person arrested is brought to nearest police station or jail

b. Without warrant:

1. Person is arrested1. Person arrested may waive right to Art. 125, RPC and ask for preliminary investigation or

inquest

Fiscal is not judicial authority contemplated under Art. 125 (Sayo vs. Chief of Police)

1. Fiscal files info5. Requisites for a warrant of arrest:

1. Probable cause2. Signed by judge3. Specifically naming or particularly and sufficiently describing person to be arrested

John Doe warrants are void for being general warrants (Pangandaman vs. Cesar)

6. Remedies

a. Petition for writ ofhabeas corpus

Filed with any court, to effect immediate release of the person detained

Filed when a person is being illegally detained (without judicial process), or was illegally arrested (voidwarrant or unlawful warrantless arrest, or warrantless arrest beyond period with no information filed)

Habeas corpus is not allowed when:

1. The person is in custody of an officer under process of law, and2. The court had jurisdiction to issue the process (Luna vs. Plaza)

If an arrest is improper, the remedy is a motion for quashal of the warrant of arrest and/or a motion to quash

the information, not habeas corpus (Ilagan vs. Enrile)

Habeas corpus is no longer available after an information has been filed, the information being the judicialprocess required by law (Ilagan vs. Enrile)


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Habeas corpus is proper when a person is being restrained illegally, e.g., imprisoned past maximum penaltyallowed by law (Gumabon vs. Director of Prisons)

b. Quashal of warrant of arrest

Filed with court which issued the warrant of arrest when the warrant of arrest is fatally flawed

c. Motion to quash information

Filed with court when information against the person arrested has been filed

Must be made in a special appearance before the court questioning only its lack of jurisdiction over theperson of the accused

Otherwise, the voluntary appearance of the person arrested by filing a motion before the court would bedeemed a submission to the authority of the court, thus granting it whatever jurisdiction it lacked over the

person

Any irregularity in the arrest is cured when the petitioner submits himself to the jurisdiction of the court, e.g.,

by filing for bail (Bagcal vs. Villaraza)

7. V.V. Mendoza, Rights to Counsel in Custodial Investigation

Evolution of rights of the accused under custodial investigation

1. All involuntary confession were inadmissible; accused had to prove involuntariness1. Involuntary confessions were inadmissible only if they were false2. Revert to exclusionary rule: any involuntary confession is inadmissible

1. Miranda rule: the accused must be informed of his rights1. To remain silent2. Against self-incrimination3. To counsel4. Definition of custodial investigation questioned

1. It begins only after arrest2. Police investigations prior to arrest are not covered3. The rights may be waived, but the rights to be informed of these rights,

i.e., to warning, may not be waived

4. Warning must not only be said, officer must make sure the person arrestedunderstands them specifically

5. Present rules1. Voluntary confessions are admissible2. Test of voluntariness determined on a case-to-case basis3. Waiver of rights must not only be with counsel but must be in

writing

Confessions made without assistance of counsel are inadmissible as evidence to incriminate the accused, butthey may be used to impeach the credibility of the accused, or they may be treated as verbal admission of theaccused through the testimony of the witnesses (People vs. Molas)

Rule 114 Bail

1. Bailsecurity given for the release of a person in custody of law, furnished by him or a bondsman,

conditioned upon his appearance before any court as required under the following conditions:

1. Undertaking effective upon approval and remains in force at all stages until promulgation of judgment,unless sooner cancelled

2. Accused shall appear before court when required3. Failure to appear despite notice to him or the bondsman will waive his right to be present and trial shall

proceed in absentia

4. Bondsman shall surrender accused for execution of judgment Bail applies to all persons detained, not just to those charged with the offense (Herras vs. Teehankee)


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Court has power to prohibit person out on bail from leaving the country (Manotoc, Jr. vs. CA)

Bail implies delivery of the accused to the sureties who, though not holding him prisoner, may seize him andimprison him until they can deliver him to court (US vs. Bonoan)

2. General Rule: All persons are entitled to bail as a matter of right, exceptthose charged with capital offenses.

Right to bail traditionally unavailable to military personnel facing court martial, who are not in the same class

as civilians (Comendador vs. de Villa)

Bail should be available regardless of other circumstances or the merits of the case, if the health or the life of

the detainee is in danger (Dela Rama vs. Peoples Court)

Excessive bail is tantamount to denial of bail, which is unconstitutional (Dela Camara vs. Enage)

3. When bail is a matter of right

Before or after conviction by MTC, MCTC, MJC

Before conviction by the RTC of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment

4. When bail is discretionary (application filed with court where case is pending)

1. Upon conviction by RTC of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment2. Provisional liberty under same circs. but during period to appeal subject to consent of bondsman3. In case he has applied for probation after final judgment, he may be allowed temporary liberty under his

bail or recognizance

5. Procedure

a. Offense charged is not capital:

i. Accused applies for bail

(1) Where information against him was filed or where case is pending

(2) Absent (1), in another branch of the same court within the province or city where he is held

(3) If arrested in another province, city or municipality, file with the RTC

(4) Absent (3), with the MTC

1. Judge sets bail1. Accused may move to reduce bail, and hearing will be set2. Accused posts bail and deposits the same with the Municipal/City/Provincial Treasurer or, if

cash, with the Collector of Internal Revenue

3. Accused is releasedb. Offense charged is capital:

1. Accused petitions for bail2. Judge sets hearing to determine whether evidence of guilt is strong

Ex-parte hearing on bail is arbitrary and unacceptable (Herras vs. Teehankee)

1. Prosecution presents evidence1. Court may not force fiscal to produce evidence (Herras vs. Teehankee)2. If evidence is strong, bail is denied

1. Otherwise, judge sets bail and procedure for non-capital offense is followed In capital crimes, judges discretion is limited to determining strength of evidence and does not coverdetermining whether bail should be allowed (Herras vs. Teehankee)


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Evidence must be strong that the accused is guilty of the capital offense charged, not just of any offense(Bernardez vs. Valera)

6. Bail bond an obligation under seal given by accused with one or more sureties and made payable to

proper officer with the condition to be void upon performance by the accused of such acts as he may legally berequired to perform

7. Recognizance

1. Obligation of record entered into before some court of magistrate duly authorized to take it, with thecondition to do some particular act, the most usual condition in criminal cases being the appearance of

the accused for trial2. Does not require signature of accused for trial3. Does not require signature of accused to be valid

8. Prosecution witnesses may be required to post bail to ensure their appearance at the trial, except:

1. Substitution of info (see R110, 14)2. Court believes that material witness may not appear at the trial

9. When bail required under RA 6036 (violation of ordinance, light felony, criminal offensenot higher that 6month imprisonment and/or P2000 fine, or both)

1. a. Caught in flagrante2. Confessed to commission of offense unless repudiated (force and intimidation)3. Previously escaped, evaded sentence or jumped bail4. Violation of Sec. 2 (fails to report to clerk of court periodically under his recognizance)5. Recidivist, habitual delinquent previously convicted for an offense to which the law or ordinance

attaches an equal or greater penalty or for 2 or more offenses to which it attaches a lighter penalty6. Committed offense while on parole or under conditional pardon7. Previously pardoned by municipal or city mayor for violation of ordinance for at least 2 times

10. Instances when accused may be released on recognizance:

1. Offense charged is a violation of an ordinance, a light felony or criminal offense the imposable penaltyto which does not exceed 6 months and or P2000 fine

2. Person has been in custody for a period equal to or more than the minimum of the imposable principalpenalty, without application of the Indeterminate Sentence Law or any modifying circumstance

3. Accused has applied for probation and before the same has been resolved, but NO BAIL was filed oraccused is incapable of filing one

4. Youthful offender held for physical and mental examination, trial or appeal, if unable to furnish bail11. Cancellation of bail

a. Upon application with the court and due notice to the fiscal

1. Accused surrenders back to custody1. Accused dies

b. Automatic cancellation

1. Case is dismissed1. Accused is acquitted2. Accused is convicted and surrenders for execution of judgment

12. When bail cancelled or denied: after RTC imposes imprisonment exceeding 6 years, but not more than 20years, and:

1. Accused is a recidivist, quasi-recidivist, habitual delinquent or guilty of the aggravating circumstance ofreiteration;

2. Provisionally escaped, evaded sentence, violated provisions of bail;3. Committed offense while on probation, parole, or conditional pardon;4. Probability of flight; or


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5. Undue risk that during appeal, he may commit another crime13. When bail is forfeited

a. Accused fails to appear before court when required

30 days for bondsman to show cause why judgment should not be rendered against him

b. Bondsman fails to produce him within 30 days

c. Bondsman fails to satisfactorily explain to the court why accused did not appear when first required to do so

Sureties guarantee only appearance of the accused, not his conduct (US vs. Bonoan)

Sureties exonerated if appearance made impossible by an act of God, the obligee or the law (US vs. Bonoan)

14. Provisional forfeiture

1. Within 30 days, produce the body or give reason for non-production AND2. Explain satisfactorily the absence of the accused when first required to appear

15. Remedies

1. Application for bail, when bail can be availed of as a matter of right2. Petition for bail, when the offense charged is a capital offense

For judge to set hearing for the determination of strength of evidence of guilt

16. Circumstances to be considered in fixing amount of bail:

1. Financial ability of accused to give bail;2. Nature and circumstances of offense;3. Penalty of offense charged;4. Character and reputation of accused;5. Age and health of accused6. Weight of evidence against accused7. Probability of accused appearing for trial;8. Forfeiture of other bonds;9. Fact that accused was a fugitive from justice when arrested; and10.Pendency of other cases in which the accused is under bond

17. Notes:

1. Posting bail waives the right to question any irregularity attending the arrest of a person (Callanta vs.Villanueva). However, this does not result in waiver of the inadmissibility of the articles seized

incidentally to such illegal arrest.2. Accused waived the right to question any irregularity in the conduct of the preliminary investigation

when he failed to do so before entering his plea (People vs. Dela Cerna)3. Accused out on bail may be re-arrested if he attempts to depart from the Philippines without prior court

permission (warrantless arrest allowed).

Rule 115 Rights of Accused

1. Right of the accused under the Rules

a. To be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt

In an appeal from a conviction, the accused shall again be presumed innocent until and unless his convictionis affirmed (Castillo vs. Felix)

b. To be informed of the nature and cause of charges


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The right must be substantially complied with; arraignment and later proceedings must be in a language theaccused understands (People vs. Crisologo)

c. To be present at every stage of proceedings, subject to waiver by bail

If an accused escapes, he waives this right and merits a trial in absentia; the accused forfeits his rights to be

notified of proceedings in the future and to adduce evidence in his behalf (People vs. Salas)

1. To testify as witness on his own behalf, subject to cross-examination on matters covered by directexamination; not to be prejudiced by his silence

2. Not to be compelled to be a witness against himself3. To confront and examine the witnesses against him, including the right to use in evidence testimony of a

witness

4. Who is deceased, out of or cannot with due diligence be found in the RP1. Given in another proceeding2. With the same parties3. Same subject matter4. Opportunity to cross-examine

Prosecution has no privilege to withhold the identity of informers when such informer was crucial in theoperation itself; failure to present the informer is a denial of the right to confront the witness which merits the

reversal of the conviction (People vs. Bagano)

g. To have compulsory process to secure witnesses and evidence in his behalf

h. To have a speedy, impartial and public trial

Unreasonable postponements of trial amounts to a denial of the right to a speedy trial, entitling the accused to

mandamus to compel dismissal of the case, or to habeas corpus if he is detained

i. To have the right of appeal

2. Rights of the accused under the Constitution

a. To due process

b. Against self-incrimination

Right is limited to testimonies; ocular inspection of the body may be allowed (Villaflor vs. Summers)

Being informed of rights means a meaningful transmission of information, without which confession made by

the accused is inadmissible (People vs. Nicandro)

Confessions obtained through coercion are inadmissible (People vs. Opida)

Right against self-incrimination and to counsel do not apply during custodial investigation (People vs. Ayson)

During trial, the right against self-incrimination takes the following form:

1. Accused may refuse to testify2. If he testifies, he may refuse to answer those questions which may incriminate him in ANOTHER

offense

c. Against double jeopardy

d. To be heard by himself and counsel

3. Double jeopardy

1. First jeopardy must have attached prior to the first2. First jeopardy attached and terminated3. Valid complaint or information

1. Competent court with jurisdiction


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2. Accused had pleaded3. Action ended in conviction, acquittal or termination without the consent of the accused

c. Offense charged in later case is:

1. Same as that in previous case1. Necessarily includes or is included in the previous case2. An attempt or frustration of the offense in previous case

1. An offense lesser than that charged to which the accused pleaded guilty with the consentof the fiscal and the offended party

4. Exceptions to double jeopardy

1. The offense was made graver by supervening events2. The facts constituting the graver offense were only discovered after the filing of the earlier information

No double jeopardy if the new fact which justified the new charge arose only after arraignment and

conviction (People vs. City Court)

No double jeopardy where the trial was a sham since there was no competent court (Galman vs.Sandiganbayan)

No double jeopardy if first case was dismissed with consent of the accused (Caes vs. IAC)

There is double jeopardy if a person is charged twice under different penal statutes for the same acts (Peoplevs. Relova)

c. Plea of guilty to a lesser offense without the consent of the fiscal and the offended party

5. Remedies

1. Motion to quash2. Motion to dismiss

Both filed on the ground of violation of accuseds rights, thereby ousting the court of jurisdiction

6. NOTES:

Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 1

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be

denied the equal protection of the laws.


1. No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law.2. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and

shall enjoy the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusations against him, to have aspeedy, impartial and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to

secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in his behalf.

However, after arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of the accused provided that he has

been duly notified and that his failure to appear is unjustifiable.


All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or

administrative bodies.


No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.


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No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense.

If an act is punished by a law or ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to anotherprosecution for the same act.

Rule 116 Arraignment and Plea

1. Procedure

1. Court informs accused of his right to counsel and asks him if he wants one2. Court appoints counsel de oficio if accused has none

If no such member of the available, any person who is a resident of the province, of good repute for probityand ability to defend accused

c. Court gives counsel time to confer with accused at least an hour before arraignment

Period allowed for counsel de oficio to confer with accused must be substantially complied with; if not, casemay be remanded for re-arraignment (People vs. Gonzaga)

1. Accused given a copy of the information, which is read to him in a language he understands2. Accused is asked whether he pleads guilty or not guilty3. Accused files a motion to quash or makes plea4. Accused personally makes his plea5. Plea is entered into record6. If accused makes plea of not guilty, counsel has at least 2 days to prepare for trial

People vs. Agbayanithe right for 2 days to prepare must be expressly demanded. Only when so demanded

does denial thereof constitute reversible error and ground for new trial. Further, such right may be waived,expressly or impliedly.

NOTE, HOWEVER, under SC Circular 38-98 (implementing Speedy Trial Act of 1997), accused must begiven at least 15 days to prepare for trial, which shall commence within 30 days from receipt of Pre-Trial Order.

j. Case proceeds to pre-trial, trial or hearing, depending on the plea

Statement in the judgment that the accused was arraigned and pleaded is sufficient; the manner of statementof such fact is immaterial (People vs. Cariaga)

2. Kinds of plea

1. No pleaa plea of not guilty shall be entered2. Conditional plea of guilta plea of not guilty shall be entered3. Not guiltycase proceeds to trial or pre-trial4. Guilty to a lesser offenseif fiscal and offended party consents, conviction under offense charged for

purposes of double jeopardy5. Info may be amended

1. Case goes to trial2. Even if info is not amended, and even if lesser offense is not included in offense charged, court

may still find the accused guilty of that lesser offense

e. Guilty to a capital offense

Court conducts searching inquiry to determine if accused was aware of the charges, of his plea, and its

consequences

Court requires prosecution to present evidence to prove guilt of accused and determine his degree ofculpability, and accused may still establish presence of mitigating circumstances in his favor

f. Guilty to a non-capital offense


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Court receives evidence from the parties to determine penalty to impose

Plea of guilty not necessarily followed by conviction. Upon receipt of exculpatory evidence (if accusedpleaded guilty), trial court should consider the plea withdrawn and in its place, order the plea of not guilty

Plea of guilty waives only defects which may be taken advantage of by motion to quash or by plea in

abatement; cannot cure jurisdictional defects.

3. Effects

a. Entry of plea will waive

1. Right to question illegality of the arrest2. Right to question any irregularity in the preliminary investigation3. Right to file a motion to quash

b. Improvident plea of guilty may be changed to not guilty any time before judgment is rendered

c. A plea of not guilty may not be changed to guilty, as doing so would only spare the prosecution of

presenting evidence and still result in the conviction of the accused.

4. Remedies

a. Motion for specification

May be filed any time before plea, even after a MTQ

Filed when the information is insufficient in form or is generally worded, that a Bill of Particulars isnecessary to clarify the acts for which the accused is being charged

b. Motion to quash

May be filed at anytime before plea is entered

Based on grounds provided by the rules

c. Motion to suspend arraignment

Filed when the accused seems mentally unsound or if there is a prejudicial question in a pending civil case

d. Motion to withdraw an improvident plea of guilt

May be filed at any time before judgment of conviction becomes final, when it can be shown that the accusedwas not aware of the significance of pleading guilty to the charges

Rule 117 Motion to Quash

1. Motion to quash a hypothetical admission that even if all the facts alleged were true, the accused still

cannot be convicted due to other reasons

2. When to file Motion to Quash

General Rule: Before entering plea; all grounds not raised deemed waived

Exception: The following grounds may be used in MTQ even after plea

1. No offense charged2. Lack of jurisdiction over the offense charged3. Extinction of the offense or of the penalty4. Double jeopardy

3. Grounds


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a. Information does not conform to prescribed form

For the info to charge a complex crime, it is not necessary that it be defined by law, only that it alleges thatone offense was necessary to commit the other (People vs. Alagao)

b. Court has no jurisdiction

1. No territorial jurisdiction2. No jurisdiction over offense charged may be raised at any time; no waiver considered even upon

failure to move to quash on such ground3. No jurisdiction over person of the accused

The court gained jurisdiction over the person of the accused when he voluntarily appeared for the pre-

suspension hearing (Layosa vs. Rodriguez)

c. Accused would be put in double jeopardy

Bars another prosecution

No waiver

No double jeopardy if first case was dismissed with the consent of the accused (Que vs. Cosico), unless

ground for dismissal is: (a) denial of right to speedy trial; or (b) insufficiency of evidence.

If the first case was dismissed due to a deficient information, then there was no valid information and there

could be no double jeopardy (Caniza vs. People)

Cudia vs CAit should be the Provincial Prosecutor of Pampanga, not the City Prosecutor, who shouldprepare informations for offenses committed within Pampanga but outside Angeles City. An information must

be prepared and presented by the prosecuting attorney or someone authorized by law. If not, the court does not

acquire jurisdiction. Although failure to file a motion to quash the information is a waiver of all objections to itinsofar as formal objections to pleadings are concerned, questions relating to want of jurisdiction may be raisedat any stage of the proceedings. Moreover, since the complaint or information was insufficient because it was

so defective in form or substance that conviction upon it could not have been sustained, its dismissal without theconsent of the accused cannot be pleaded as prior jeopardy, and will not be a bar to a second prosecution.

d. More than one offense was charged, EXCEPT where law prescribes single punishment for various offenses

e. Facts alleged do not constitute an offense

May be raised at any time

No waiver

For charge to be complete, it is necessary to state that it was exempted from any amnesty existing at the time

f. Criminal action or liability has been extinguished

g. Information contains allegations which, if true, would be a legal excuse or justification

h. Officer who filed the information had no authority

Presentation of evidence cannot cure an invalid information (People vs. Asuncion)

NOTE: Court will consider no other grounds other than those raised, EXCEPT lack of jurisdiction over offensecharged.

4. Requisites of Double jeopardy

a. Valid information or complaint, sufficient in form and substance

b. Before court of competent jurisdiction


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Doctrine of Jurisdiction byEstoppel: depends upon whether the lower court actually had jurisdiction or not.If it had no jurisdiction, but the case was tried and decided upon the theory that it had jurisdiction, the parties

are not barred on appeal, from assailing such jurisdiction, for the same must exist as a matter of law, and maynot be conferred by consent of the parties or by estoppel. However, if the lower court had jurisdiction, and the

case was heard and decided upon a given theory, such, for instance, as that the court had no jurisdiction, theparty who induced it to adopt such theory will not be permitted, on appeal, to assume an inconsistent position

that the lower court had jurisdiction. Here, the principle of estoppel applies. The rule that jurisdiction isconferred by law, and does not depend upon the will of the parties, has no bearing thereon.

c. Accused had pleaded

d. Conviction, acquittal, or dismissal or termination of case without consent of accused

e. Bar to offense charged, attempt to commit the same or necessarily includes or is necessarily included

Conviction for physical injuries through reckless imprudence constitutes double jeopardy to the charge ofdamage to property through reckless imprudence.

5. Procedure

1. MTQ filed2. If based on defect in info which can be cured, court shall order its amendment3. Quashing the info shall NOT be a bar to subsequent prosecution (accused has not pleaded yet), EXCEPT

when the ground is:

1. Double jeopardy OR2. Extinction of criminal liability

6. Remedies

1. Motion to dismissif certain grounds were not raised or denied in a MTQ2. Trial

If there was really no basis for the info, then such could be proved in the trial

Upon denial of a MTQ, the proper remedy is to go on trial and later to appeal, if necessary; mandamus or

certiorari will only be granted if there is not other plain, simple and adequate remedy

7. Failure to move to quash or to allege any ground therefor deemed a waiver of such grounds, except:

1. Failure to charge an offense2. Lack of jurisdiction over the offense charged3. Extinction of the offense or of the penalty4. Double jeopardy

Rule 118 Pre-Trial

1. Plea bargaining process whereby the accused and the prosecution in a criminal case work out a mutuallysatisfactory disposition of the case subject to court approval. It usually involves the defendants pleading guilty

to a lesser offense or to only some of the counts of a multi-count indictment in return for a lighter sentence thanthat for the greater charge.

Under Speedy Trial Act of 1997, in all criminal cases cognizable by the MTC, MCTC, MeTC, RTC and

Sandiganbayan, pretrial is mandatory.

Under SC Circular 38-98, implementing the Speedy Trial Act of 1997, an accused may plea guilty to a

lesser offense only if said offense is necessarily included in the offense charged.

2. Stipulation of facts

Facts which both parties and respective counsels agree on as evidenced by their signatures; these facts need

not be proved by evidence in trial


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Stipulation is inadmissible if unsigned by either accused or counsel; a later memo of confirmation, signedonly by counsel, cannot cure defect (Fule vs. CA)

3. Pre-trial orderbinds the parties, limits the trial to matters not yet disposed of, and controls the course of

action during the trial

4. Procedure

1. Judge must calendar pre-trial2. Either party may waive the pre-trial3. If court appoints counsel de oficio, counsel has at least 2 days to prepare4. In the pre-trial conference5. Plea bargaining6. Stipulation of facts7. Marking of evidence (does not imply conceding to its admissibility or credibility)8. Waiver of objections to admissibility of evidence9. Other matters which will promote a fair and expeditious trial

e. Judge issues pre-trial order

Rule 119 Trial

1. In trial, the defense tries

1. To assail the admissibility of evidence which prove the elements of the offense charged2. To assail the credibility of such evidence3. To prove another version, possibly admitting certain evidence of the prosecution and adding other

evidence to cast reasonable doubt

Even in summary procedure, the judge cannot base his decision simply on affidavits; he must give the

defendant the chance to cross-examine (Combate vs. San Jose)

2. Procedure

a. Parties notified of date of trial 2 days before trial date (R119, 1)

HOWEVER, under SC Circular 38-98, accused must be given at least 15 days to prepare for trial, which shall

commence within 30 days from receipt of Pre-Trial Order.

1. Accused may move that his witnesses be examined2. Defense witnesses examined by any judge or lawyer3. Prosecution witnesses, if they would be unable to attend trial, may be examined by the judge handling

the case4. Trial continues from day to day, unless postponed for a just cause5. Prosecution presents evidence

Presentation

Testimonies: direct examination

Cross-examination

Re-cross

Offer

1. Accused may move for discharge2. Prosecution rests3. Defense may, with or without leave of court, file a demurrer to evidence4. Defense presents evidence5. Defense rests6. Prosecution presents rebuttal evidence7. Defense presents rebuttal evidence


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8. Trial is closed; case is submitted for judgment3. When mistake made in charging proper offense

1. If Accused cannot be convicted of offense charged or offense necessarily included therein2. Accused detained, not discharged3. Original case dismissed upon filing of proper information

Example: Charged with theft. At trial, appears that offense is estafa. The prosecution can ask for thedismissal of the info in order to file a new one for estafa. No Double Jeopardy because no valid info in the firstcase.

4. Application for examination of witnesses for accused before trial

1. Sick or infirm; unable to attend trial2. Resides more than 100 km. from means of trial; no means to attend

5. Application (prosecution)

1. Sick or infirm2. Has to leave the RP with indefinite date of returning

6. Requisites for postponement due to absence of a witness

1. Witness is really material and appears to the court to be so2. Party who applies for postponement has not been guilty of neglect3. Witness can be had at the time to which the trial has been deferred4. No similar evidence could be obtained

7. Requisites to discharge of an accused as State Witness

1. Testimony of accused absolutely needed2. No other direct evidence available EXCEPT his testimony3. Testimony can be corroborated on material points4. Accused does not appear to be most guilty5. Accused has never been convicted of offense involving moral turpitude

Discharge of accused, when not all the requisites were met, cannot be revoked as long as he testified

according to what was expected of him (People vs. Aninon)

8. Remedies

a. Motion for separate trials

Filed by the fiscal to try several accused separately

Granted at the courts discretion

May also be ordered by the court motu proprio

b. Motion to consolidate

Upon the courts discretion, separate charges may be tried in one single case if the offenses charged ariseform the same facts or form part of a series of similar offenses

Court allowed consolidation of rape cases substantially committed in the same manner (People vs. David)

c. Motion for continuancefiled to postpone trial for just cause

d. Motion to exclude public

Excluding parties, counsels and court personnel


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May also be ordered by court motu proprio

e. Motion for discharge

Filed before the prosecution rests

Hearing to determine existence of requisites for discharge

Prosecution will present evidence and the sworn statement of the proposed state witness

Evidence adduced in this said hearing automatically form part of trial; however, if court denies motion for

discharge, his sworn statement shall be inadmissible in evidence.

Discharge of the accused has the effect of acquittal, unless accused fails or refuses to testify against his co-

accused in accordance with his statement (which formed the basis for his discharge)

f. Demurrer to evidence

May be made after the prosecution rests its case

If the court finds the prosecutions evidence insufficient, the case will be dismissed

Otherwise, if demurrer denied

1. If the demurrer was made with leave of court, defense gets to present evidence2. If the demurrer was made without leave of court, defense is deemed to have waived the right to present

evidence and the case is submitted for judgment

Case may also be dismissed motu proprio

g. Motion to reopen

Filed after the case is submitted for judgment but before judgment is actually rendered

To allow either side to present additional evidence, if such could not be found before

Granted on discretion of the judge

The accused cannot move to reopen the case to allow him to adduce evidence in his behalf when his failure to

adduce them during the trial was his own fault (People vs. Cruz)

Rule 120 Judgment

1. Judgmentadjudication by the court that the accused is guilty or not guilty of the offense charged, and the

imposition of the proper penalty and civil liability provided by law on the accused

2. General Rule: If the accused is found not guilty, he will be acquitted and the acquittal immediately becomesfinal and executory. If the accused is found guilty, penalty and civil liability will be imposed on him.

3. Accused may be convicted of

1. The offense charged2. A lesser offense necessarily included in the offense charged

Accused cannot be convicted for an offense graver than that charged (People vs. Guevarra)

4. Contents

1. Written in official language2. Personally prepared and signed by the judge3. Contains facts proved4. Contains law upon which judgment is based


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In case ofconviction,judgment must state:

1. Legal qualification of offense and aggravating and mitigating circumstances2. Level of participation3. Penalty imposed4. Civil liability for damages, unless right to separate civil action has been reserved

In case ofacquittal, judgment must state:

1. Civil liability for damages, unless acts alleged clearly did not exist2. Basis of liability

5. Procedure

1. Judge reads judgment in presence of accused2. If judgment is of acquittal3. It becomes final and executory4. It bars subsequent prosecution for the same offense

c. If judgment is of conviction, remedy is to file:

1. Motion for reconsideration2. Motion for new trial3. Notice of appeal

Or else, judgment becomes final and is entered in the book of Judgments

6. When judgment in a criminal case becomes final:

1. After lapse of period for perfecting an appeal; or2. When sentence partially or totally satisfied or served; or3. Accused has expressly waived in writing his right to appeal, EXCEPT in cases of automatic review

where death penalty is imposed

4. Accused has applied for probation7. Only a judgment in conviction can be modified or set aside

1. Before judgment had been final (otherwise double jeopardy);2. Before appeal had been perfected; or3. To correct clerical errors in the judgment

8. Remedies

a. Appeal

Filed within 15 days of promulgation of judgment

Period is interrupted by filing of a motion for new trial or reconsideration

On motion of accused or at its own instance with consent of the accused

b. Motion for reconsideration

Filed when there are errors of law or fact in the judgment

Shall require no further proceedings

Notice should be given to the fiscal

c. Motion for new trial

Notice should be given to the fiscal


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Filed on the following grounds:

1. Error of law or irregularities have been made during trial which are prejudicial to the substantial rightsof the accused

ii. New evidence has been found which could not have been found before and which could change the judgment

9. Procedure for new trial

1. Hearing shall be set and held2. All evidence not alleged to be in error shall stand3. New evidence will be introduced4. Old judgment may be set aside and a new one rendered

10.Notes:

Suspension of sentence for youthful offendersafter conviction, minor is committed to custody and care ofDSWD or any training institution until reaches 21 years of age, or a shorter period

Probation disposition under which a defendant after conviction and sentences, is released subject toconditions imposed by the court and to the supervision of a probation officer

Parolethe conditional release of an offender from a penal or correctional institution after he has served theminimum period of his prison sentence under the continued custody of the state and under conditions that

permit his reincarceration if he violated the conditions of his release

Rule 121 New Trial or Reconsideration

1. Reopening of the case

1. Made by the court before judgment is rendered in the exercise of sound discretion2. Does not require consent of accused3. May be made at the instance of either party who can thereafter present additional evidence

2. Motion for new trial

1. Filed after judgment is rendered but before the finality thereof2. At the instance or with the consent of the accused3. The prosecution can move only for the reconsideration of the judgment but cannot present additional

evidence

3. Motion for New Trial is denied if:

1. Only impeaching evidence is sought to be introduced as the court had already passed upon issue ofcredibility

2. Only corroborative evidence is offered3. Prisoner admits commission of crime with which accused is charged (facility with which such

confession can be obtained and fabricated)4. Alleged new evidence is inherently improbable and could easily be concocted5. Alleged new evidence consists of recantations of prosecution witness, due to unreliability of such

recantations, EXCEPT if no other evidence to sustain conviction aside from recanted testimony

4. New Trial vs. Reconsideration

Motion for recon is based on the grounds of errors of law in the judgment is court is not asked to reopen thecase for further proceedings, but to reconsider its findings or conclusions of law and make them conformable to

the law applicable to the case on the judgment the court has to render anew.

5. New Trial vs. Modification of Judgment

In New Trial, irregularities are expunged from the record and/or new evidence is introduced. In modificationof judgment, no new hearings or proceedings of any kind or change in the record or evidence. A simple

modification is made on the basis of what is on the record.


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6. New Trial vs. Reopening of the Case

New trial presupposes that existence of a judgment to be set aside upon the granting of a new trial

In reopening, no judgment has yet been rendered, although the hearing may have already been closed

7. Motion for Reconsideration

Grounds are errors of law or fact in judgment, which require no further proceedings.

8. Effects of Granting Motion for New Trial or Reconsideration

a. Based on error of law or irregularities during trial:

Proceedings and evidence not affected by irregularities stand, and those affected are set aside. Court mayallow introduction of new evidence

b. Based on newly discovered evidence:

Evidence already taken shall stand; new evidence taken with the old

Rule 122 Appeal

1. Procedure

a. Filed with RTC, if original case was with MTC

Notice served to lower court and to adverse party

b. Filed with the CA or SC, if original case was with RTC

i. With CA: notice of appeal with court, and with copy on adverse party

If CA is of opinion that penalty should be reclusion perpetua or higher, it shall render judgment imposingsaid penalty, but refrain from entering judgment and then certify the case and the entire record thereof to the SC

for review (R124, 13)

CA may reverse, affirm, or modify judgment of RTC, or remand case for new trial or re-trial, or dismiss thecase

If RTC decided case in appellate jurisdiction: Petition for Review

ii. With SC: notice of appeal where penalty imposed is life imprisonment, or lesser penalty involving offensescommitted on the same occasion, or arising out of same occurrence where graver penalty of death is available

but life imprisonment is imposed; all other cases, by petition for review on certiorari

If death penalty, automatic review

iii. Withdrawal of appeal

May be made at any time before judgment on the appeal is rendered

Lower court judgment becomes final

Case remanded for execution of judgment

Once notice of appeal is filed, cannot be validly withdrawn to give way for a Motion for Recon or a Motionfor New Trial, since the filing of the notice perfected the appeal, and the trial court loses its power to modify or

set aside the judgment. The only valid withdrawal of an appeal is where the accused decides to serve hissentence.

2. Effect of appeal by any of several accused


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1. Shall not affect those who did not appeal, EXCEPT if favorable and applicable to them2. Civil appeal by offended party shall not affect criminal aspect of judgment3. Execution of judgment on appellant will be stayed upon perfection of appeal

3. When appeal by prosecution from order of dismissal of criminal case will not result in double jeopardy

1. Dismissal made upon motion or with express consent of the accused2. Dismissal is not an acquittal nor based upon consideration of the evidence or merits of the case3. Question to be passed upon by the appellate court is purely legal so that if the dismissal is found

incorrect, the case has to be remanded to the court of origin to determine the guilt or innocence of the

accused

4. When serving sentence, remedy is to petition forhabeas corpus

1. Filed when the law under which the accused was convicted is repealed or declared unconstitutional2. When a later judgment is rendered acquitting others for similar circumstances

Otherwise, equal protection is violated

1. When penalty is lowered and convict has already served more than the maximum period of the newpenalty

Habeas corpus is available when a person is imprisoned beyond the maximum penalty imposed by law(Gumabon vs. Dir. of Prisons)

NOTE: When dismissal is capricious, certiorari lies and no double jeopardy since validity and not correctness

of dismissal is being challenged.

Rule 126 Search and Seizure

1. Search warrantan order in writing issued in the name of the People of the Philippines, signed by a judgeand directed to a peace officer, commanding him to search for personal property described therein and bring itbefore the court

Cannot be issued to look for evidence (Uy Khetin vs. Villareal)

Seizing objects to be used as evidence is equivalent to forcing one to be a witness against himself (Uy Khetinvs. Villareal)

For a warrant to be valid, it must meet the requirements set by law (Burgos vs. Chief of Staff)

Tapping conversations is equivalent to a search and seizure (US vs. Katz)

2. General Rule: No search or seizure can be conducted unless it is authorized by a search warrant. Evidencegathered from an illegal search and seizure is inadmissible.

Warrantless searches are illegal, unreasonable and unconstitutional (Alvarez vs. CFI)

It is not the police action which is impermissible, but the procedure and unreasonable character by which it is

exercised (Guazon vs. de Villa)

Court gains jurisdiction over items seized by a valid search warrant and returned to it, and such is not an

unconstitutional deprivation of property (Villanueva vs. Querubin)

Evidence from an illegal search may be used as evidence, if no objection is raised (Stonehill vs. Diokno)

Right against unreasonable search and seizure may be waived, but for the waiver to be effective:

1. The right must exist2. Person must be aware of the right3. Person clearly shows the intent to relinquish such right


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No waiver against unreasonable search and seizure when one compromises the criminal proceedings (Alvarezvs. CFI)

There is no waiver of right when evidence of coercion is present (Roan vs. Gonzales)

3. Requisites of a valid search warrant

a. Issued upon probable cause

Probable causesuch facts and circumstances which would lead a reasonably prudent man to believe that acrime has been committed and the thing to be searched for and seized is in the place to be searched

b. Probable cause is personally determined by the issuing judge

Hence, signed by him

By any RTC, to be served anywhere in the country, for an offense which occurred anywhere in the country(Malaloan vs. CA)

c. Issuing judge personally examined, in the form of searching questions, the appellant and his witness andtook down their written depositions

d. Search warrant particularly describes or identifies the property to be seized

Property which men may lawfully possess may not be the object of a search warrant (Uy Khetin vs. Villareal)

Nature of goods may allow description to be general or not too technical (Alvarez vs. CFI)

e. Particularly describes the place to be searched

f. It shall issue only for one specific offense

Otherwise, cannot be said to have issued upon probable cause (Asian Surety vs. Herrera)

Absence of specific offense makes impossible determination of probable cause (Stonehill vs. Diokno)

g. Was not issued for more than 10 days prior to a search made pursuant thereto (search warrant becomes void

after 10 days)

h. Indicates time, if to be served at night

4. When a search warrant may be said to particularly describe the thing to be seized

1. Description is as specific as circumstances allow2. Expresses a conclusion of fact by which the warrant officer may be guided3. Things described are limited to those which bear a direct relation to the offense for which the warrant is

issued

5. Procedure

a. Complainant files application, attaches affidavits

Oath requires that the person taking it personally knows the facts of the case (People vs. Sy Juco)

Affidavits submitted must state that the premises is occupied by the person against whom the warrant is

issued, that the objects to be seized are fruits or means of committing a crime, and that they belong to the sameperson, thus, not affecting third persons (People vs. Sy Juco)

When complainants knowledge is hearsay, affidavits of witnesses are necessary (Alvarez vs. CFI)

b. Judge conducts ex parte preliminary examination of complainant and witnesses under oath to determineprobable cause


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Judge must ask probing questions, not just repeat facts in the affidavit (Roan vs. Gonzales)

c. Judge issues search warrant good for 10 days

d. Peace officer in presence of occupant, members of the family OR 2 witnesses of sufficient age anddiscretion residing in the same locality

Search may last for more than a day as long as it is part of the same search for the same purpose and of the

same place (Uy Khetin vs. Villareal)

e. Peace officer leaves receipt with occupant at place searched

f. Peace officer files return of search warrant and inventory, and surrenders items seized to receiving court

(not necessarily court which issued the warrant)

Items seized illegally must remain in custodia legis pending resolution of the case (Roan vs. Gonzales)

6. Remedies from an unlawful search

1. MTQ the warrant2. Motion to suppress as evidence the objects illegally taken3. Return of property illegally seized

7. When a search may be validly conducted without a warrant

1. Without consent of person searched2. When the search is incident to a lawful arrest3. Personal knowledge of the arresting person (Posadas vs. CA)4. Limited to:

(1) Immediate time of arrest

(2) Immediate vicinity of the arrest

(3) Weapons and things which may be used as proof of offense charged (Nolasco vs. Pano)

iii. Subject in an offense which is mala prohibita cannot be summarily seized (Roan vs. Gonzales)

iv. May extend beyond arrestee to include premises and surrounding under his immediate control

1. Border searches (customs, mail and airport)2. Vessels and aircrafts for violation of Tariff and Customs Code, EXCEPT dwelling houses3. Plain view4. Moving vehicle5. Hot pursuit6. Stop-and-frisk, reasonable check-points7. Private searches with no state action (People vs. Marti)8. Inspection of building and premises for enforcement of fire, sanitary and building regulations

8. Person making the arrest may take from the arrestee

1. Properties used in the commission of the crime2. Fruits or proceeds thereof3. Property which may furnish the arrestee with a weapon against the arresting person4. Property which may be used as evidence at the trial

9. NOTES:


The right of the people to be secure in their persons, papers, houses and effects against unreasonable searches

and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant ofarrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under


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oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the placeto be searched and the persons or things to be seized.


1. The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except upon lawful order of thecourt, or when public safety or order requires otherwise as prescribed by law.

2. Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible for any purposein the proceeding.

Rule 127 Provisional Remedies in Criminal Cases

1. Attachment as provisional remedy in criminal cases

1. Accused is about to abscond from RP2. Criminal action is based on a claim for money or property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied or

converted to the use of the accused who is a public officer, or any officer of a corporation, or an

attorney, factor, broker, agent or clerk in a fiduciary capacity, in willful violation of duty3. Accused has concealed, removed or disposed of his property, or is about to do so4. Accused resides outside the RP

Reference:

Remedial Law (Criminal Procedure) Memory Aid

Ateneo Central Bar Operations 2001

Criminal Procedure Addu Memo Aid

Documents

Transcript of Criminal Procedure Addu Memo Aid