Article 17 Flashcards
Under Art. 17 of the RPC, who are considered principals? (3)
- Those who take a DIRECT PART in the EXECUTION of the act;
- Those who directly FORCE or INDUCE others to commit it
- Those who COOPERATE in the commission of the offense by ANOTHER ACT without which it would not have been accomplished
The three kinds of principals as provided for under Art. 17 of the RPC (3)
- Principal by direct participation
- Principal by induction
- Principal by indispensable cooperation
Difference between a principal in Art. 17 of the RPC and a co-conspirator
A principal’s criminal liability is limited to his own acts, but as a general rule, the co-conspirator’s liability includes the acts of his felow conspirators
What do you mean by “take a direct part in the execution of the act”?
The principal by direct participation personally takes part in the execution of the act
Requisites for principals by direct participation (2)
- That they PARTICIPATED IN THE CRIMINAL RESOLUTION;
- That they CARRIED OUT their plan and PERSONALLY TOOK PART in its execution by acts which DIRECTLY TENDED TO THE SAME END
How does one become a party to the conspiracy?
One must have INTENTION TO PARTICIPATE in the transaction with a view to the furtherance of the common design and purpose.
This may be shown by an OVERT ACT in furtherance of the conspiracy by:
1. Actively participating in the actual commission of the crime; or
2. Lending moral assistance to his co-conspirators by being present at the scene of the crime; or
3. Exerting moral ascendancy over the rest of the conspirators as to move them to executing the conspiracy
Does mere knowledge, acquiescence, or approval of the act without cooperation or agreement make one a party to the conspiracy?
No, there must be intentional participation
Is silence a circumstance indicating participation in the same criminal design? (Does it make one a conspirator?)
No
Does conspiracy transcend companionship?
Yes
Does the existence of conspiracy require an agreement for an appreciable length of time prior to the execution for its purpose?
No, it does not require necessarily an agreement for an appreciable length of time prior to the execution of its purpose
Proofs of conspiracy (2)
- Interlocking extrajudicial confessions of the accused
- Malefactors shall have acted in concert pursuant to the same objective
In conspiracy, is a formal agreement among the conspirators necessary?
No, not even previous acquaintance among themselves
It is sufficient that their minds meet understandingly so as to bring about an intelligent and deliberate agreement to commit the offense charged
Does conspiracy need to be proved by direct evidence?
No, it can be inferred from the acts of the accused before, during, and after the commission of the crime. However, it must be established by positive and conclusive evidence, meaning proof beyond reasonable doubt
Does mere presence at the scene of the crime at the time of its commission establish conspiracy?
No
To be a conspirator, must the person have previous knowledge of the criminal purpose?
Yes, the assistance should be knowingly or intentionally given
When is conspiracy implied?
When the accused had a common purpose and were united in its execution
Cases in which unity of purpose and intention in the commission of the crime creating joint responisibility is shown: (5)
- Spontaneous agreement at the moment of the commission of the crime
- Active cooperation by all the offenders
- Contributing by positive acts to the realization of a common criminal intent
- Presence during the commission of the crime by a band and lending moral support
- Where one of the accused knew of the plan of the others to kill the victims and he accepted the role assigned to him to shoot one of the victims
Does simultaneity automatically prove conspiracy?
No
Is conspiracy presumed when the crime is committed by a band?
Yes
General rule as to whether the owner of a safe house is a conspirator or not
In the absence of his knowledge, consent or concurrence in the criminal design, the owner of a place, which was used to detain kidnapped victims, cannot necessarily be considered as either a conspirator or an accomplice in the crime of kidnapping for ransom
In kidnapping for ransom, what is the primary consideration?
The place where the victim is to be detained
May there be conspiracy even if there is no evident premeditation on the part of the accused?
Yes
Is a conspirator liable for another’s crime which is not an object of the conspiracy or which is not a necessary and logical consequence thereof?
No, co-conspirators are liable only for acts done pursuant to the conspiracy