Criminal Procedure

PROCEDURE IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

RULE 124 - PROCEDURE IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

 
Section 1. Title of the case. – In all criminal cases appealed to the Court  of  Appeals,  the  party  appealing  the  case  shall  be  called  the "appellant"  and  the  adverse  party  the  "appellee,"  but  the  title  of the case shall remain as it was in the court of origin.
 
Sec.  2.  Appointment  of  counsel  de  officio  for  the  accused.  –  If  it appears  from  the  record  of  the  case  as  transmitted  that  (a)  the accused  is  confined  in  prison,  (b)  is  without  counsel  de  parte  on appeal, or (c) has signed the notice of appeal himself, ask the clerk of court of the Court of Appeals shall designate a counsel de officio.
 
An appellant  who is not  confined  in prison may, upon request, be assigned a  counsel de officio  within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice to file brief and he establishes his right thereto.
 
Sec.  3.  When  brief  for  appellant  to  be  filed.  –  Within  thirty  (30) days from receipt by the appellant or his counsel of the notice from the  clerk  of  court  of  the  Court  of  Appeals  that  the  evidence,  oral and documentary, is already attached  to the record,  the appellant shall file seven (7) copies of his brief with the clerk of court which shall be accompanied by proof of service of two (2) copies thereof
upon the appellee.
 
Sec.  4.  When  brief  for  appellee  to  be  filed;  reply  brief  of  the appellant. – Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the brief of the appellant, the appellee shall file seven (7) copies of the brief of the appellee  with  the  clerk  of  court  which  shall  be  accompanied  by proof of service of two (2) copies thereof upon the appellant.
 
Within twenty (20) days from receipt of the brief of the appellee, the appellant may file a reply brief traversing matters raised in the former but not covered in the brief of the appellant.
 
Sec.  5.  Extension  of  time  for  filing  briefs.  –  Extension  of  time  for the filing of briefs will not be allowed except for good and sufficient cause  and  only  if  the  motion  for  extension  is  filed  before  the expiration of the time sought to be extended.
 
Sec.  6. Form of briefs. – Briefs shall either be printed, encoded or typewritten  in  double  space  on  legal  size  good  quality  unglazed paper, 330 mm. in length by 216 mm. in width.
 
Sec.  7. Contents of brief. –  The briefs in criminal  cases shall have the same contents as provided in sections 13 and 14 of Rule 44. A certified true copy of the decision or final order appealed from shall be appended to the brief of the appellant.
 
Sec.   8.   Dismissal   of   appeal   for   abandonment   or   failure   to prosecute. – The Court of Appeals may, upon motion of the appellee or  motu  proprio  and  with  notice  to  the  appellant  in  either  case, dismiss the appeal if the appellant fails to file his brief within the time  prescribed  by  this  Rule,  except  where  the  appellant  is represented by a counsel de officio.
 
The  Court  of  Appeals  may  also,  upon  motion  of  the  appellee  or motu  proprio,  dismiss  the  appeal  if  the  appellant  escapes  from prison  or  confinement,  jumps  bail  or  flees  to  a  foreign  country during the pendency of the appeal.
 

WHEN CAN THE COURT OF APPEALS DISMISS AN APPEAL?

1.    The Court of Appeals may, upon motion of  the appellee or motu proprio and with notice to the appellant in either case, dismiss the appeal  if  the  appellant  fails  to  file  his  brief  within  the  time
prescribed by this Rule, except where the appellant is represented by a counsel de officio.
2.    The  Court  of  Appeals  may  also,  upon  motion  of  the  appellee  or motu  proprio,  dismiss  the  appeal  if  the  appellant  escapes  from prison or confinement
3.    The  Court  of  Appeals  may  also,  upon  motion  of  the  appellee  or motu proprio, dismiss the appeal if the appellant jumps bail
4.    The  Court  of  Appeals  may  also,  upon  motion  of  the  appellee  or motu proprio, dismiss the appeal if the appellant flees to a foreign country during the pendency of the appeal
5.    The Court of Appeals may also, motu propio dismiss the appeal if the appellant fails to prosecute
6.    The Court of Appeals may also, motu propio dismiss the appeal if the appellant abandons his appeal
 
Sec. 9. Prompt disposition of appeals. – Appeals of accused who are under detention shall be given precedence in their disposition over other  appeals.  The  Court  of  Appeals  shall  hear  and  decide  the
appeal at the earliest practicable time with due regard to the rights of the parties. The accused need not be present in court during the hearing of the appeal.
 
Sec.  10.  Judgment  not  to  be  reversed  or  modified  except  for substantial  error.  –  No  judgment  shall  be  reversed  or  modified unless the Court of Appeals, after an examination of the record and
of the evidence adduced by the parties, is of the opinion that terror was committed which injuriously affected the substantial rights of the appellant.
 

WHEN CAN JUDGMENT BE REVERSED OR MODIFIED?

     It  can  only  be  reversed  or  modified  when  there  has  been substantial errors 
 
Sec.  11.  Scope  of  judgment.  –  The  Court  of  Appeals  may  reverse, affirm or modify the judgment and increase or  reduce the penalty imposed  by  the  trial  court,  remand  the  case  to  the  Regional  Trial Court for new trial or retrial, or dismiss the case.
 

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF APPEALS?

1.    Reverse, affirm, or modify the judgment
2.    Increase or reduce the penalty imposed by the trial court
3.    Remand the case to the RTC for new trial or retrial
4.    Dismiss the case
 

WHY  CANNOT  THE  CA  REVISE  THE  JUDGMENT  OF  THE  LOWER COURT?

     The  power  to  revise  is  not  given  because  it  is  changing  the manner of the penning of the judgment of the trial judge
     It  is  violative  of  the  rule  that  the  judge  must  write  the  decision personally

 MUST ALL BE ALLEGED IN THE APPEAL IN ORDER TO REVIEW THE CASE IN ITS ENTIRETY?

     No.
     An appeal in criminal proceedings throws the whole case open for review.  It is the duty of the appellate court to correct such errors as  might  be  found  in  the  appealed  judgment,  whether  they  are assigned or not.
 
Sec.  12.  Power  to  receive  evidence.  –  The  Court  of  Appeals  shall have the power to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and  perform  any  and  all  acts  necessary  to  resolve  factual  issues
raised  in  cases  (a)  falling  within  its  original  jurisdiction,  (b) involving claims for damages arising from provisional remedies, or (c) where the court grants a new trial based only on the ground of
newly-discovered evidence.
 

CAN  THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS  ACCEPT  EVIDENCE  DURING  AN APPEAL?

     Generally, an appellate court doesn’t accept new evidence during an  appeal.    Its  decision  is  based  on  the  records  and  other documents forwarded to it by the lower courts
     It  can  accept  evidence  though  in  the  resolution  of  contentious factual issues, which are raised in cases:
1.    Falling within its original jurisdiction
2.    Involving  claim  for  damages  arising  from  provisional remedies 
3.    Where the court grants a new trial based on the ground of newly-discovered evidence
 
Sec.  13.  Quorum  of  the  court;  certification  or  appeal  of  cases  to Supreme Court. – Three (3)  Justices of the Court of  Appeals shall constitute a quorum for the sessions of a division. The unanimous
vote  of  the  three  (3)  Justices  of  a  division  shall  be  necessary  for the  pronouncement  of  a  judgment  or  final  resolution,  which  shall be  reached  in  consultation  before  the  writing  of  the  opinion  by  a member of the division. In the event that the three (3) Justices can not reach  a unanimous vote, the  Presiding  Justice shall direct the raffle  committee  of  the  Court  to  designate  two  (2)  additional Justices to sit temporarily with them, forming a special division of five  (5)  members  and  the  concurrence  of  a  majority  of  such division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a judgment or
final resolution. The designation of such additional Justices shall be made strictly by raffle and rotation among all other Justices of the Court of Appeals.
 
    Whenever  the  Court  of  Appeals  find  that  the  penalty  of  death, reclusion  perpetua,  or  life  imprisonment  should  be  imposed  in  a case,  the  court,  after  discussion  of  the  evidence  and  the  law involved,  shall  render  judgment  imposing  the  penalty  of  death, reclusion  perpetua,  or  life  imprisonment  as  the  circumstance warrant. However, it shall refrain from entering the judgment and
forthwith certify the  case and elevate the entire  record thereof  to the Supreme Court for review.
 

HOW DOES THE CA DECIDE THE CASE?

     Three  (3)  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Appeals  shall  constitute  a quorum for the sessions of a division. 
     The unanimous vote of the three (3) Justices of a division shall be necessary   for   the   pronouncement   of   a   judgment   or   final resolution,  which  shall  be  reached  in  consultation  before  the writing of the opinion by a member of the division. 
     In the event that the three (3) Justices can not reach a unanimous vote, the Presiding Justice shall direct the raffle committee of the Court  to  designate  two  (2)  additional  Justices  to  sit  temporarily
with them, forming a special division of five (5) members and the concurrence of a majority of  such division shall be necessary for the  pronouncement   of  a  judgment  or  final   resolution.  The designation  of  such  additional  Justices  shall  be  made  strictly  by raffle  and  rotation  among  all  other  Justices  of  the  Court  of Appeals.
     NB:  There  is  tyranny  of  the  minority.    In  case  one  of  the  three justices in a division disagrees, he wins even if it is 2 against 1.    A.M. No. 00-5-03-SC
RE:   AMENDMENTS    TO   THE   REVISED   RULES   OF   CRIMINAL PROCEDURE TO GOVERN DEATH PENALTY CASES  RESOLUTION
 
Acting on the recommendation of the Committee on Revision of the Rules  of  Court  submitting  for  this  Court's  consideration  and approval  the  Proposed  Amendments  to  the  Revised  Rules  of Criminal  Procedure  To  Govern  Death  Penalty  Cases,  the  Court Resolved to APPROVE the same.
 
The amendments shall take effect on October 15, 2004 following its publication  in  a  newspaper  of  general  circulation  not  later  than September 30, 2004.
 
September 28, 2004.
 
Davide,  Jr.,  C.J.,  Puno,  Panganiban,  Quisumbing,  Ynares-Santiago, Sandoval-Gutierrez,   Carpio,   Austria-Martinez,   Corona,   Carpio-Morales, Callejo, Sr., and Tinga, JJ., concur.  Azcuna and Chico-Nazario, JJ., on leave.
 

AMENDED RULES TO GOVERN REVIEW OF DEATH PENALTY CASES

 
Rule 122, Sections 3 and 10, and Rule 124, Sections 12 and 13, of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, are amended as follows:
 
Rule 122
 
Sec.  3.  How  appeal  taken.—(a)  The  appeal  to  the  Regional  Trial Court, or to the Court of Appeals in cases decided by the Regional Trial  Court  in  the  exercise  of  its  original  jurisdiction,  shall  be  by
notice of appeal filed with the court which rendered the judgment or final order appealed from and by serving a copy thereof upon the adverse party.
 
(b)    The  appeal  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  cases  decided  by  the Regional Trial Court in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction shall be by petition for review under Rule 42.
 
(c)  The appeal in cases where the penalty imposed by the Regional Trial  Court  is  reclusion  perpetua,  life  imprisonment  or  where  a lesser  penalty  is  imposed  for  offenses  committed  on  the  same
occasion or which arose out of the same occurrence that gave rise to  the  more,  serious  offense  for  which  the  penalty  of  death, reclusion  perpetua,  or  life  imprisonment  is  imposed,  shall  be  by
notice  of  appeal  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  accordance  with paragraph (a) of this Rule.
 
(d)  No notice of appeal is necessary in cases where the Regional Trial  Court  imposed  the  death  penalty.  The  Court  of  Appeals  shall automatically review the judgment as provided in Section 10 of this
Rule. (3a)
 
x x x
 
Sec. 10. Transmission of records in case of death penalty. — In all cases  where  the  death  penalty  is  imposed  by  the  trial  court,  the records  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  for  automatic
review  and  judgment  within  twenty  days  but  not  earlier  than fifteen  days  from  the  promulgation  of  the  judgment  or  notice  of denial of a motion for new trial or  reconsideration.  The transcript
shall also be forwarded  within ten days after the filing thereof by the stenographic reporter. (10a)
 
x x x
 
Rule 124
 
Sec.  12.  Power  to  receive  evidence.—The  Court  of  Appeals  shall have the power to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and  perform  all  acts  necessary  to  resolve  factual  issues  raised  in
cases falling within its original and appellate jurisdiction, including the power to grant and conduct new trials or further proceedings. Trials or hearings in the Court of Appeals must be continuous and
must  be  completed  within  three  months,  unless  extended  by  the Chief Justice. 12(a)
 
Sec. 13. Certification or appeal of case to the Supreme Court.—(a) Whenever  the  Court  of  Appeals  finds  that  the  penalty  of  death should  be  imposed,  the  court  shall  render  judgment  but  refrain
from  making  an  entry  of  judgment  and  forthwith  certify  the  case and elevate its entire record to the Supreme Court for review.
 
(b) Where the judgment also imposes a lesser penalty for offenses committed  on  the  same  occasion  or  which  arose  out  of  the  same occurrence that gave rise to the more severe offense for which the
penalty  of  death  is  imposed,  and  the  accused  appeals,  the  appeal shall  be  included  in  the  case  certified  for  review  to,  the  Supreme Court.
 
(c)  In   cases   where  the  Court  of  Appeals  imposes  reclusion perpetua, life imprisonment or a lesser penalty, it shall render and enter  judgment  imposing  such  penalty.  The  judgment  may  be appealed  to  the  Supreme  Court  by  notice  of  appeal  filed  with  the Court of Appeals.
 

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE WHEN THE CA FINDS THAT THE PENALTY TO  BE  IMPOSED   IS  DEATH,  RECLUSION   PERPETUA,  OR   LIFE IMPRISONMENT?

     Whenever  the  Court  of  Appeals  finds  that  the  penalty  of  death should  be  imposed,  the  court  shall  render  judgment  but  refrain from making an entry of judgment and forthwith certify the case and elevate its entire record to the Supreme Court for review.
     Where  the  judgment  also  imposes  a  lesser  penalty  for  offenses committed on the same occasion or which arose out of the same occurrence that gave rise to the more severe offense for which the penalty of death is imposed, and the accused appeals, the appeal shall be included in the case certified for review to, the Supreme Court.
     In cases where the Court of Appeals imposes reclusion perpetua, life  imprisonment  or  a  lesser  penalty,  it  shall  render  and  enter judgment imposing such penalty. The judgment may be appealed
to the Supreme Court by notice of appeal filed with the Court of Appeals.
 

WHAT   IF   THE   DECISION   APPEALED   TO   THE   CA   IS   PURELY QUESTIONS OF LAW?

     The CA may certify it to the SC directly
 
Sec.  14.  Motion for new trial. – At  any time after the appeal from the lower court has been perfected and before the judgment of the Court of Appeals convicting the appellant becomes final, the latter
may  move  for  a  new  trial  on  the  ground  of  newly-discovered evidence  material  to  his  defense.  The  motion  shall  conform  with the provisions of section 4, Rule 121.
 

CAN THE CA CONDUCT A NEW TRIAL?

     Yes,  the  ground  for  new  trial  is  based  on  newly-discovered evidence  and  the  motion  shall  conform  with  the  provisions  of Section 4, Rule 121
 

WHAT IS NEWLY-DISCOVERED EVIDENCE?

     This  is  material  evidence  that  can  change  the  outcome  of  the judgment when admitted
 

WHEN SHOULD THE NEWLY-DISCOVERED EVIDENCE BE DISCOVERED?

     The  evidence  must  be  discovered  after  the  perfection  of  appeal, but  before  the  CA  renders  its  judgment,  because  after  the perfection of the appeal, the trial court loses its  jurisdiction.  On the   other   hand,   prior   perfection   of   an   appeal,   the   party discovering the new evidence may file a motion for new trial with the trial court anyway.
 
INSTEAD OF FILING A MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL, CAN A PARTY FILE A MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION INSTEAD?
     No since a motion for reconsideration only covers errors of facts or laws   and   not   newly-discovered   evidence,   which   pertains exclusively as a ground for new trial
 

WHY IS THE PERIOD FOR FILING A MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL FROM A DECISION OF THE RTC DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE CA?

     For the reason that at some point in time, the case must end.
 
Sec. 15. Where new trial conducted. – When a new trial is granted, the Court of Appeals may conduct the hearing and receive evidence as provided in section 12 of this Rule or refer the trial to the court of origin.
 
Sec.  16.  Reconsideration.  –  A  motion  for  reconsideration  shall  be filed  within  fifteen  (15)  days  from  notice  of  the  decision  or  final order of the Court of Appeals with copies thereof served upon the
adverse  party,  setting  forth  the  grounds  in  support  thereof.  The mittimus  shall  be  stayed  during  the  pendency  of  the  motion  for reconsideration.  No  party  shall  be  allowed  a  second  motion  for
reconsideration of a judgment or final order.
 

WHEN SHOULD A MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION BE FILED?

     A motion for reconsideration shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from notice of the decision or final order of the Court of Appeals with  copies  thereof  served  upon  the  adverse  party,  setting  forth the grounds in support thereof. 
     The mittimus shall be stayed during the pendency of the  motion for reconsideration. 
     No party shall be allowed a second motion for reconsideration of a judgment or final order.
 

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF MITTIMUS?

     It is the process issued by the court after conviction to carry out the final judgment such as commanding a prison  warden to hold the accused in accordance with the terms of the judgment 

ec. 17. Judgment transmitted and filed in trial court. – When the entry of judgment of the Court of Appeals is issued, a certified true copy of the judgment shall be attached to the original record which
shall be remanded to the clerk of the court from which the appeal was taken.
 

WHAT  SHOULD  BE  DONE  AFTER  THE  JUDGMENT  OF  THE  CA  HAS BECOME FINAL?

     When the judgment of the CA becomes final, a certified true copy of  the  judgment  shall  be  attached  to  the  original  record  which shall be remanded to the clerk of the court from which the appeal was taken.
 
Sec.  18.  Application  of  certain  rules  in  civil  procedure  to  criminal cases. – The provisions of Rules 42, 44 to 46 and 48 to 56 relating to procedure  in the Court of Appeals and in the  Supreme Court in
original and appealed civil cases shall be applied to criminal cases insofar  as  they  are  applicable  and  not  inconsistent  with  the provision of this Rule. 


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