Vid dis crim law 1-2 Flashcards
that branch of public law which defines crimes treats of their nature
and provides for their punishment
Crim law
punishable by the Revised Penal Code
Felony
punishable by special penal laws
offense
punishable by city or municipal ordinances
Infractions
An act committed or omitted in violation of a public law forbidding
or commanding it
crime
a misdemeanour, an offense, or simply CRIME
Delict
the fault or negligence of a person causing damage to another, and
there is no pre existing contractual relation between the parties (Article 2176 Civil
Code). Also known as CULPA AQUILIANA
Quasi Delict
SOURCES OF CRIMINAL LAW
- Act 3815 known as the Revised Penal Code
- Special Penal Laws passed by Congress
- Presidential Decrees issued by President Marcos
- Codigo Penal De Espana (Spanish Penal Code)
The body of principles, usages and rules of actions which do not result from the
express act of the legislature. There is no such crime in the Philippines.
COMMON LAW CRIMES
there is no crime if there is no law
punishing it.
NULLUM CRIMEN NULLA POENA SINE LEGE
CHARACTERISTICS OF CRIMINAL LAW
General
Territorial
Prospective
criminal law is binding on all persons who live or sojourn in the Philippines,
regardless of age, sex or nationality.
General
criminal laws are applicable only if the crime is committed within
Philippine territory.
Territorial
criminal law cannot make an act punishable in a manner in which it was
not punishable when committed. See Art 366. (The law looks forward and not
backwards)
Prospective
EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
- As provided by treaty stipulations- RP-US VFA Agreements
- As provided by laws of preferential applications- RA 75 grants protection
to diplomatic representatives, ambassador or other public ministers of
foreign countries including their domestic servants authorized and received
by the President. - Persons who are exempt because of certain principles of international
laws: Sovereigns and other heads of states Ambassadors, minister
plenipotentiaries, minister residents and charges dā affaires.
It means the law (as a general rule) does not have retroactive effect
PROSPECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Also known as Prospectivity.
Also known as retrospectivity
EXCEPTION TO THE PROSPECTIVE CHARACTER
When the new law is favorable to the accused
EXCEPTION TO THE EXCEPTION
- When the offender is a habitual criminal.
- When the new law expressly provides it has no application or retroactive effect to
pending actions/cases.
strictly construed against the state and liberally in favor of the
accused
penal laws
*If there is a conflict between the Spanish text and the English text
the Spanish text
prevails.
When there is doubt about the meaning or application or interpretation of a penal
law and the doubt admits of two interpretations, one which is lenient to the
offender and the other one is favorabe to him, then the interpretation which is
favorable to the accused should be applied.
PRO REO DOCTRINE
HISTORY OF THE RPC
*The Alleged Code of Calantiao of 1433
*The old Penal Code which took effect until December 31, 1931.
* Administrative Order 94 of the DOJ dated October 18, 1927
* Anacleto Diaz, Quintin Paredes, Guilermo Guevarra, Alex Reyes and
Mariano De Joya
* Revised Penal Code (ACT 3815)
* RPC approved December 8, 1930
* RPC took effect January 1, 1932
the basis of criminal liability is human free will and the
purpose of penalty is retribution. Man is a moral creature with an absolute free will
to choose between good and evil. Here,more stress is placed upon the result of the
crime than the criminal. There is scant regard for the human element.
Classical Theory
Man is subdued occasionally by a strange and morbid
phenomenon which constrain him to do wrong. Crime is a social and natural
phenomenon; it cannot be treated therefore by the application of abstract principles
of law or by the imposition of punishment. The purpose of penalty is reformation of
accused. Offender is regarded as a sick person who needs treatment.
Positivist Theory
RULES ON CRIMES COMMITTED ABOARD FOREIGN MERCHANT VESSEL WHILE
WITHIN PHILIPPINE WATERS
English Rule
French Rule
The crime is punishable in the Philippines, unless the crime merely
affects things within the vessel.
English Rule
the crime is not triable in the courts of that country (Philippines),
unless their commission unless their commission has effects on the safety of the
coastal state.
French Rule
LIMITATIONS ON THE POWERS OF CONGRESS TO MAKE LAWS
No Ex Post Facto Law shall be enacted
No Bill of Attainder shall be passed.
Law that makes criminal an act done before the passage of the law and which was innocent when done, and punishes such an act, it may also be defined as a law which aggravates a crime, or makes it greater than it was, when committed.
Ex post Facto law