NOTES ON INTRO TO PCJS by YAM
NOTES ON INTRO TO PCJS by YAM
NOTES ON INTRO TO PCJS by YAM
CHAPTER 1
Basic Concept of Criminal Justice System
● Criminal Justice System – The machinery which the society uses in the prevention
and control of crimes. It may also refer to the totality of the activities of the law
enforcers, prosecutors, judges, and corrections personnel, as well as those of the
mobilized community in crime prevention and control.
Goals of CJS
1. Prevention of crime.
2. Protect members of society against crime.
3. Maintain peace and order.
4. Suppression of criminality.
5. Review the legality of existing rules and regulations.
6. Rehabilitation and reformation of offenders.
● Justice - is the act of rendering what is due and treating persons equally.
CHAPTER 2
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PILLAR
● Law Enforcement/Police
● It is considered as the prime mover of the Criminal Justice System.
● The agency of the community or government that is responsible for enforcing the
law, maintaining public order, and preventing and detecting crime.
● It is known as the prime mover of the Criminal Justice System.
● It initiates the Criminal Justice System by the arrest of the offenders.
● Law enforcement is a deterrent and preventive activity.
* If the combination of desire and opportunity is stronger than resistance, crime will be
committed.
* If the combination of desire and opportunity is weaker than resistance, crime will not be
committed.
ARREST
● ARREST
● is the taking of a person into custody in order that he may be bound to answer for the
commission of an offense.
The rules to be considered in conducting arrest:
1. No violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest;
2. The person arrested shall not be subject to a greater restraint than that necessary for
his detention;
3. It shall be the duty of the officer executing the warrant to arrest the accused and
deliver him to the nearest police station or jail without unnecessary delay;
4. The head of the office to whom the warrant of arrest was delivered for execution shall
cause the warrant to be executed within ten (10) days from its receipt. Within ten (10)
days after the expiration of the period, the officer to whom it was assigned for
execution shall make a report to the judge who issued the warrant. In case of his
failure to execute the warrant, he shall state the reason therefore;
5. An arrest may be made on any day and at any time of the day or night. (Secs 1, 2, 3, 4
& 6, Rule 113 of the Rules of Court)
WARRANTLESS ARREST
A peace officer or a private person may, without a warrant , arrest a person:
a. When, in his presence the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing or is
attempting to commit an offense (Paragraph 1 of Rule 113, Sec. 5 Rules of Court)
b. When an offense has in fact just been committed and he has personal knowledge of facts
indicating that the person to be arrested had committed it (Paragraph 2 of Rule 113, Sec. 5
Rules of Court)
c. When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or
place where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined while his case is pending or
has escaped while being transferred from one confinement to another (Paragraph 3 of Rule
113, Sec. 5 Rules of Court)
Search warrant
● Search Warrant is an order in writing issued in the name of the People of the
Philippines, signed by a judge and directed to a peace officer, commanding him to
search for personal property described therein and bring it before the court. (Sec 1,
Rule 126 of the Rules of Court)
General Rule: A warrant is needed before search. Validity of warrant is 10 days from
its date.
A. CONSENTED SEARCH
● The person is willing to submit himself for search despite of no warrant presented. It
was clear that no intimidation or threat was made to let the arrested person be
subjected to search.
● Search made by SECURITY GUARDS in establishment are LEGAL even in the
absence of search warrant for they are ENFORCING THE SECURITY OF
PERSONS AND PROPERTY.
B. SEARCH INCIDENTAL TO LAWFUL ARREST
● The arresting officer is authorized to conduct search even without warrant for his
security and safety.
C. PLAIN VIEW DOCTRINE
● Under the plain view search, illegal things at sight may be seized even without a
warrant to do so. The things must be readily seen without any effort of locating it. The
police did not exert effort in looking for the Contraband. It came accidentally to his
view.
D. SEARCH OF MOVING VEHICLES
● Otherwise known as Check Point. There are publicly known Check Point Areas in the
highway. Vehicles must submit for VISUAL CHECKING. A Check point can be
established to TRAP a fleeing suspect/criminal.
E. SEARCH CUSTOM
● The Bureau of Customs is authorized by law to conduct search and seizure on all
contrabands. Since the Bureau of Customs is enforcing Tariff and Custom Laws, no
need for them to acquire search warrant.
F. STOP AND FRISK
● Wherein policemen may search a person whom they believe to be committing a crime
based on a probable cause. The act of the persons running away from policemen
induces a reasonable mind to believe that they are involved in an illegal activity.
● Scatter Shot Warrant - is a warrant of arrest that is issued for more than one
offense.
CUSTODIAL INVESTIGATION
Custodial Investigation - is any questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a
person has been taken into custody of otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any
significant way.
CHAPTER 3
PROSECUTION PILLAR
Prosecution - It is the legal process or method whereby accusations are brought before a
court of justice to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. It may also refer to the
agency responsible in presenting the government’s position in criminal cases and evaluating
pieces of evidence presented by the law enforcement pillar.
HISTORY OF PROSECUTION
● The origin of the office of the prosecutor is found hundreds of years ago in the
jurisprudential development and the common law of England.
● The general term "attornatus" was used in England official documents in the Middle
Ages to mean anyone who appeared for another as a pleader, attorney, or essoiner.
● The earliest laws of England defined crimes as being committed against a particular
individual, not against the state. The original prosecutor was a victim or an individual
representing a victim who stepped forward personally to initiate the prosecution of the
alleged offender.
● Originally all crimes were torts; thus, in early common law, any injury, whether to
person or property, was a tort. (A tort today is an injury to an individual that is not an
offense against the state). Later, the injury was considered an offense against the state.
● During the reign of Edward IV (1461-1483), William Husse was appointed attorney
general of England. Henry VIII (1509-1547) eliminated the vengeance prosecution
system and in its stead provided a system of “sergeants”, who were required to act as
police prosecutors and to enforce penal statutes. These sergeants were later to become
well trained in the law.
If a person is arrested, what is the purpose of delivering him to the nearest police station
or jail and detaining him in that place?
● It depends. If the arrest is with warrant, the arrested person must be detained for him
to face the case that is already filed against him or to serve his sentence if he is
already convicted. However, if the arrest is without warrant, he must be detained to
undergo an inquest proceeding or preliminary investigation.
● Inquest proceeding - is a proceeding done by the inquest prosecutor to determine the
validity of the arrest. This is very summary in nature which may be done by an
informal interview with the arresting officer and/or the arrested person.
● The arresting policeman shall locate or contact immediately the inquest prosecutor for
the latter to determine whether the arrest is valid and the following rules shall be
observed:
1. If the prosecutor finds out that the arrest is valid, he may order the further
detention of the arrested person and the filing of the information before the proper
court; or
2. If the prosecutor finds out that the arrest is not valid, he may order the release of
the person arrested upon signing a Promise to Appear.
E. Issuance of resolution;
● Within 10 days from the termination of investigation or clarification. After
investigation, the investigating officer shall either:
1. Prepare a resolution and information or
2. Recommend the dismissal of the complaint
CHAPTER 4
COURT PILLAR
Court - is a body to which the public administration of justice is delegated, being a tribunal
officially assembled under authority of law at the appropriate time and place for the
administration of justice through which the State enforces its sovereign rights and powers. It
is an entity or body in which a portion of judicial power is vested.
Special Courts:
1. Sandiganbayan - It is a special court that has jurisdiction over criminal and civil
cases involving graft and corrupt practices of public officers. Created pursuant to PD
1606.
2. Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) - Has exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review and
appeal the decision of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue involving
internal revenue taxes and decisions of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs
involving customs duties. Created pursuant to RA 1125
3. Shari’a Court - Created pursuant to PD 1083, otherwise known as the “Code of
Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines”. Cases brought before this court is civil in
nature.
4. Shari’a District Court - These are courts of limited jurisdiction which are presided
by District Judges
5. Shari’a Circuit Trial Courts -These are presided by circuit judges.
6. Family Court - This special court was established by virtue of RA 8369, otherwise
known as Family Courts Act of 1997". It covers criminal cases where one or more of
the accused is below eighteen (18) years of age but not less than nine (9) years of age
or where one or more of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the
offense.
If the case is filed in court, what shall be the first issue that must be resolved?
● If a case is filed, the first issue that a court must resolve is whether it has jurisdiction
over the case.
● If the court has jurisdiction, it shall hear the case; otherwise, the only power it has is
to dismiss the case.
Jurisdiction - is the power and authority to hear, try, and decide a case.
Kinds of jurisdiction:
A. Original jurisdiction - is the power and authority to hear, try and decide cases brought in
the court, body, or tribunal for the first time.
B. Appellate jurisdiction - is the power and authority to hear, try and decide cases
previously heard by a lower court, body, or tribunal.
C. Exclusive jurisdiction - is the power and authority to hear, try and decide cases to the
exclusion of other courts, body, or tribunal. An example of this is the Municipal Trial Courts
have exclusive jurisdiction over cases punishable by light penalty.
D. Concurrent jurisdiction - is the power and authority to hear, try and decide cases that
may be brought to two or more courts, body, or tribunal.
● Illustration of Concurrent Jurisdiction
● An administrative case against a policeman may be filed in People’s Law
Enforcement Board (PLEB), Internal Affairs Service (IAS), National Police
Commission (NAPOLCOM), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), among
others. This means that PLEB, IAS, NAPOLCOM, CHR have concurrent
jurisdiction over administrative cases against a policeman.
E. General jurisdiction - is the power and authority to decide all cases which may come
before it except those assigned to other courts, body, or tribunal. Example of this is the RTC
have jurisdiction over cases not assigned to any other court, body or tribunal.
F. Limited jurisdiction - is the power and authority to hear and determine only cases
specified by law to be within its jurisdiction. Example of this is the MTC have jurisdiction
only to cases expressly specified by the law.
COURT PROCEEDINGS:
1. Arraignment
2. Pre-trial
3. Trial
4. Judgment
5. Appeal
ARRAIGNMENT - is that stage in the criminal prosecution which consists of the reading to
the accused in open court of the complaint or information charging him with an offense and
furnishing him a copy thereof, including lists of witnesses and asking him whether he pleads
guilty or not as charged.
How shall the court acquire jurisdiction over the person of the accused?
● The court shall acquire jurisdiction over the person of the accused upon his arrest.
Is there a need for the accused and the offended party to be present during
arraignment?
● On the part of the accused, he must be present to hear the charge against him and
personally enter his plea.
● On the part of the private offended party, there is no need for him to be present but
he shall be present only for the following purpose:
1. Plea bargaining;
2. Determination of civil liability; and
3. Other matters require his appearance.
After the accused pleads guilty, may the court immediately impose a penalty?
● No. When the accused pleads guilty to a capital offense, the court shall conduct a
searching inquiry into the voluntariness and full comprehension of the consequences
of his plea and shall require the prosecution to prove the guilt in the precise degree of
culpability.
Bail - is a security given for the release of a person in custody of law, furnished by him or a
bondsman, to guarantee his appearance before any court as required under the conditions
specified by law. (Sec 1, Rule 114 of the Rules of Court)
FORMS OF BAIL
1. Corporate surety;
2. Property bond;
3. Cash deposit; and
4. Recognizance - is the release of the defendant on the custody of a responsible member
of the community who shall guarantee his appearance whenever required by the court.
What are the distinctions among criminal, civil, and administrative cases?
1. In accordance where these cases are filed;
● Criminal and civil cases are filed in courts and administrative cases are filed in quasi-
judicial bodies.
2. In accordance to weight or sufficiency of evidence required;
● In criminal cases, the evidence needed to convict an accused is proof beyond
reasonable doubt; in civil cases, preponderance of evidence; and in administrative
cases, substantial evidence.
TAKE NOTE:
● Proof beyond reasonable doubt is a degree of proof which produces conviction
in an unprejudiced mind.
● Preponderance of evidence means that the testimony adduced by one side is more
credible and conclusive than the other.
● Substantial evidence is the relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might
accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
3. In accordance to imposable penalties;
● Criminal cases, the imposable penalty is imprisonment, destierro, or even death; Civil
cases, payment damages; Administratively cases, reprimand, suspension, or dismissal
from the service
4. In accordance to the designation of the victim;
● In criminal cases, the victim is known as the Private Offended Party; In civil cases,
the victim is known as Plaintiff; In administrative cases, he is known as Complainant.
5. In accordance to the designation of the person being heard;
● In criminal cases, the person being heard is known as Accused; In civil cases, he is
known as Defendant; In administrative cases, he is known as Respondent.
PRE-TRIAL - is an informal trial which precedes the regular trial of the case primarily
intended to expedite the proceeding whenever the accused and his counsel agree whereby the
court shall conduct a pre – trial conference, without impairing the rights of the accused.
● Considerations in Pre-Trial:
● Plea bargaining;
● Stipulation of facts;
● Marking for identification of evidence of the parties;
● Waiver of objections to admissibility of evidence;
● Modification of the order of trial if the accused admits the charge but
interposes a lawful defense; and
● Such matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial of the criminal and
civil aspects of the case.
TRIAL - is the formal investigation of matter in issue with respect to the action before a
competent court for the purpose of determining such issue that involves the guilt or innocence
of the accused.
Order of trial:
1. The prosecution shall present evidence to prove the charge and, in the proper case, the
civil liability;
2. The accused may present evidence to prove his defense and damages, if any, arising,
from the issuance of a provisional remedy in the case;
3. The prosecution and the defense may, in that order, present rebuttal and sur-rebuttal
evidence unless the court, in furtherance of justice, permits them to present additional
evidence bearing upon the main issue;
4. Upon admission of evidence of the parties, the case shall be deemed submitted for
decision unless the court directs them to argue orally or to submit written memoranda;
TAKE NOTE: When the accused admits the act or omission charged in the
complaint or information but interposes a lawful defense, the order of trial may be
modified.
JUDGMENT - is adjudication by the court that the accused is guilty or not guilty of the
offense charged and the imposition on him of the proper penalty and civil liability, if any.
● It must be written in the official language,
● Personally, and directly prepared and signed by the judge.
● Must contain legal bases of decision
CHAPTER 5
CORRECTION PILLAR
CORRECTION - A branch of the Criminal Justice System concerned with the custody,
supervision and rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
PENOLOGY - is the study of punishment for crime or of criminal offenders. It includes the
study of control and prevention of crime through punishment of criminal offenders.
● Why is Correction tagged as the Weakest pillar of CJS?
● This is because of its failure to deter individuals in committing crimes as well as
the reformation of inmates. This is evident in the increasing number of inmates
in jails or prisons. Hence, the need for prison management to rehabilitate
inmates and transform them to become law-abiding citizens after their release is
necessary.
Classification of Correction:
● Institutional Correction– deals with jails, prisons, and colonies where a convict is
going to serve his sentence.
● Non – institutional Correction – deals with service of sentence of a convict outside
an institution. It is also known as a community-based treatment.
Theories in Correction:
1. Classical theory - it maintains the “doctrine of psychological hedonism” or “free will”.
That the individual calculates pleasures and pains in advance of action and regulates his
conduct by the result of his calculations.
2. Neo-Classical theory - it maintained that while the classical doctrine is correct in general,
it should be modified in certain details. Since children and lunatics cannot calculate the
differences of pleasures from pain, they should not be regarded as criminals; hence they
should be free from punishment.
3. Positivist theory - the theory that denied individual responsibility and reflected non-
punitive reactions to crime and criminality. It adheres that crimes, as any other act, is natural
phenomenon. Criminals are considered as sick individuals who need to be treated treatment
programs rather than punitive action against them.
PUNISHMENT - It is the redress that the state takes against an offending member of society
that usually involved pain and suffering. It is also the penalty imposed on an offender for a
crime or wrong doing.
JAIL - A place for locking-up of persons who are convicted of minor offenses or felonies
who are to serve a short sentence imposed upon by a competent court, or for confinement of
persons who are awaiting trial or investigation of their cases.
2. City/Municipal Jails - are housing persons deprived of liberty for not more than six
months. These persons are known as city or municipal prisoners.
3. PENAL COLONIES
● Sablayan Colony and Farm (San Jose Occidental Mindoro) - Established on
September 26, 1954 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 72 has a total
land area of approximately 16,190 hectares.
● Iwahig Penal Colony and Farm (Palawan) - Establishment on November 16,
1904.
Considered as the “Prison without Walls” in the world.
● 4 Sub-Colonies:
a. Central sub-colony with an area of 14,700 hectares;
b. Sta. Lucia with 9,685 hectares;
c. Montible with 8,000 hectares; and
d. Inagawan with 13,000 hectares.
● Davao Penal Colony and Farm (Central Davao) - first penal settlement founded
and organized under Filipino administration. It was formally established on
January 21, 1932 by virtue of Act No. 3732. Its main product is Abaca.
● San Ramon Penal Colony and Farm - was established in southern Zamboanga
on August 21,1870 through a royal decree promulgated in 1869. The facility was
originally established for persons convicted of political crimes. Considered the
oldest penal facility in the country.
● Leyte Regional Prison (Abuyog, Southern Leyte) - established on January 16,
1973 a year after the declaration of martial law in 1972 by virtue of Presidential
Decree No. 28. Youngest penal colony to be established
Presidential Decree 968 - otherwise known as the “Philippine Probation Law” was approved
July 24, 1976 and took effect on January 3, 1978. Section 18 PD 968 as amended states the
creation of the Probation Administration under the DOJ, which shall exercise general
supervision over all probationers.
ADVANTAGES OF PROBATION:
● The convicted criminal offender can continue to work in his place of employment;
● It prevents the tendency of broken homes;
● It relieves prison congestion.
AMNESTY - is an act of sovereign power granting oblivion; It is also a general pardon for a
past offense usually granted in favor of certain classes of persons who have committed crimes
of a political character, such as treason, sedition, rebellion.
PAROLE - is the suspension of sentence of a convict after having served the minimum of the
sentence imposed without granting pardon, prescribing the terms of the suspension.
The distinctions between Conditional Pardon and Parole are the following:
● In conditional pardon, the accused need not serve his minimum sentence, while in
parole, the minimum sentence must be served; and
● In conditional pardon, the granting authority is the President, while in parole, the
granting authority is the Board of Pardon and Parole.
Good Conduct Time Allowance - is the reduction of period of imprisonment if the convict
shows good behavior.
Former GCTA computation
TAKE NOTE: At any time when his services include teaching, study or mentoring,
additional 15 days off. Appeals made by prisoner do not disturb entitlement of good conduct
allowance.
CHAPTER 6
COMMUNITY PILLAR
Community - refer to a society or body of people living in the same place, under the same
laws and regulations which have common rights, privileges, or interests. However, the term
community, when applied to the Criminal Justice System, is not limited to persons. It
includes the homes, family, government, schools, churches, etc. It is the fifth pillar and
known as the core of the Criminal Justice System.
● Home - is the “cradle of human personality.” It is a haven of peace and refuge and
where the fundamental values of courage, honesty, and integrity are taught and
encouraged. It is also where children are brought up with the strength to make a
difference and make the change they seek in this world.
except that marriage settlements may fix the property relations during marriage within
the limits provided by law.
TAKE NOTE: Any defect or absence of the essential requisites of marriage shall
render the marriage VOID AB INITIO (void from the beginning). Any defect or
absence of the formal requisites of marriage shall not affect the validity of marriage
but the party or parties responsible for the irregularity shall be civilly, criminally, and
administratively liable.
● School - is an institution or place for instruction or education. It is said that the school
is an extension of the home having the strategic position to control crimes.
b. The school should identify those children who show signs of being susceptible to
delinquent patterns of behavior and take the proper preventive or remedial measures
to insure better adjustment.
c. The school should work closely with parents and neighborhood leaders to assist them
in developing a better understanding of the individual child and to help them remove
neighborhood influence that is inimical to children’s welfare.
d. The school should cooperate with all other community agencies and organizations
such as churches, social welfare and development, juvenile control of every police
station and other similar entities in a coordinated plan to meet the needs of the child in
the most effective and constructive way.
● Church - is the religious society founded and established by Jesus Christ to receive,
preserve, and propagate His doctrines, and ordinances. The church influences
people’s behavior with the emphasis on morals and life’s highest spiritual values, the
worth and dignity of the individual, and respect.
● Barangay - the basic political unit; serves as the primary planning and implementing
unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the
community (Sec 384 of the Local Government Code)
1. Punong Barangay,
2. Seven (7) Sangguniang Barangay Members,
3. A Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman,
4. A Barangay Secretary, and
5. A Barangay Treasurer
TAKE NOTE:
Certification to File Action - It means the Lupon Secretary and attested by the
Lupon Chairman, certifying that a confrontation of the parties has taken place and that
a conciliation or settlement has been subsequently rejected.