Pre-trial and Pre-trial Conference

Section  1. Pre-trial; mandatory  in criminal cases. – In all  criminal cases  cognizable  by  the  Sandiganbayan,  Regional  Trial  Court, Metropolitan  Trial  Court,  Municipal  Trial  Court  in  Cities,  Municipal Trial  Court  and  Municipal  Circuit  Trial  Court,  the  court  shall,  after arraignment  and  within  thirty  (30)  days  from  the  date  the  court acquires  jurisdiction  over  the  person  of  the  accused,  unless  a shorter  period  is  provided  for  in  special  laws  or  circulars  of  the Supreme  Court,  order   a  pre-trial   conference  to   consider  the following:

(a) plea bargaining;

(b) stipulation of facts;

(c) marking for identification of evidence of the parties;

(d) waiver of objections to admissibility of evidence;

(e)  modification  of  the  order  of  trial  if  the  accused  admits  the charge but interposes a lawful defense; and

(f) such matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial of the criminal and civil aspects of the case.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A PRE-TRIAL?

>     The purpose is to expedite proceedings

WHEN IS PRE-TRIAL REQUIRED?

>     Pre-trial  is  mandatory  in  all  criminal  cases  cognizable  by  the Sandiganbayan, RTC, MTC and MCTC

WHEN SHOULD IT BE CONDUCTED?

>     After  arraignment,  and  within  30  days  from  the  date  the  court acquires jurisdiction over the person of the accused
>     An exception to the rule is when the accused is under preventive detention.  The case shall be raffled within 3 days.  Arraignment shall be done within 10 days after the raffle.  Ten days thereafter, the pre-trial.  

WHAT SHOULD THE ORDER FOR  PRE-TRIAL  CONFERENCE CONTAIN?

1.    The  presence  of  the  accused  and  more  importantly  the  offended party,  for  purposes  of  plea  bargaining  and  determination  of  civil liability.    Remember  that  plea  bargaining  isn’t  allowed  in  cases involving violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
2.    Referring  the  matter  for  preliminary  conference  to  the  clerk  of court.
3.    Warning  that  evidence  not  offered  during  preliminary  conference shall be inadmissible except if because  of good  cause and under the discretion of the court

WHO SHOULD PRESIDE IN A PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE?

>     Clerk of court will preside the preliminary conference

WHAT SHOULD THE CLERK OF COURT DO IN PRESIDING OVER THE PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE?

1.    The clerk of court is given a vital role in the speedy disposition of cases
2.    He shall serve as the mediator or arbitrator between the accused and offended party for the two parties to reach a settlement as to the civil liability of the accused
3.    He shall serve as mediator between the parties with regard plea bargaining
4.    He shall serve as mediator in the stipulation of facts between the accused and offended party
5.    He  shall  oversee  the  introduction  and  marking  of  documentary evidence
6.    He shall see that the evidence is genuine and duly executed
7.    He  shall  oversee  the  conference  if  there  will  be  any  waiver  to objections over admissibility of evidence
8.    In  case  the  accused  gives  a  lawful  defense,  he  will  indicate  that there would be a modification of the order of trial

N.B
1.    A preliminary  conference precedes a pre-trial.  It is officiated by the  clerk  of  court.    The  clerk  of  court  plays  a  vital  role  in  the speedy disposition of cases.
2.    Often  times,  there  would  be  no  pre-trial  anymore  but  the  trial would commence and the  judge would  issue the decision for the disposition of the case.
3.    The   pre-trial   conference   is   conducted   for   the   expeditious disposition of the case.  What happens in the conference is more than what meets the eye.
4.    There  is  now  an  amendment  in  the  new  rules  providing  for  the parties  to  talk  with  each  other  absent  their  lawyers.    Lawyers often  times  are  stumbling  blocks  in  the  speedy  disposition  of
cases.  
5.    In the pre-trial and preliminary conference, there is narrowing of conflict between the parties.  In furtherance of this, the judge is sanctioned to allow the number of witnesses to be presented, limit the trial days, etc.  
6.    Remember that any evidence not presented or marked during the pre-trial conference shall not be admitted during the trial.    This is  done  to  make  the presentation  of  evidence  mandatory  for  the
parties  to  the  case.    Additional  evidence  shall  only  be  allowed  if there is good cause and for furtherance of justice
7.    Evidence is genuine and duly executed—in relation to notarial law when the lawyer admits to the genuineness and due execution of the documentary evidence presented.
8.    The  preliminary  conference  is  to  minimize  the  things  to  be discussed during the pre-trial conference that would be conducted by the judge.  After the pre-trial conference, a pre-trial order shall
be  issued.    This  will  serve  as  the  bible  for  the  rest  of  the proceedings.
9.    See the Revised Rules on Pre-trial issued during August 2004.

WHEN WILL THE JUDGE PRESIDE?

>     During the pre-trial