Bar questions compilation Criminal law PDF

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CRIMINAL LAW TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Revised Penal Code (RPC) and related Special Laws A. Book 1 (Articles 1-99, RPC; exclude the provisions on civil liability) 1. Fundamental principles ................................................................................ 1 a) Definition of Criminal Law ......

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CRIMINAL LAW TABLE OF CONTENTS I.

Revised Penal Code (RPC) and related Special Laws A.

Book 1 (Articles 1-99, RPC; exclude the provisions on civil liability) 1. Fundamental principles ................................................................................ 1 a) Definition of Criminal Law ....................................................................... 1 (i) Mala in Se and Mala Prohibita (ii) Construction of penal laws b) Scope of application and characteristics of Philippine criminal law ....... 30 (i) Generality....................................................................................... 32 (ii) Territoriality..................................................................................... 32 (iii) Prospectivity .................................................................................. 36 (a) Effects of repeal/amendment of penal law c) Constitutional limitations on the power of Congress to enact penal laws 36 (i) Equal protection ............................................................................. 37 (ii) Due process .................................................................................. 37 (iii) Non-imposition of cruel and unusual punishment or excessive fines (a) Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines (R.A. No. 9346) (iv) Bill of attainder ............................................................................... 39 (v) Ex post facto law ........................................................................... 39 2. Felonies ..................................................................................................... 39 a) Classifications of felonies ...................................................................... 40 b) Elements of criminal liability .................................................................. 40 c) Impossible crime ................................................................................... 45 d) Stages of execution .............................................................................. 51 e) Conspiracy and proposal....................................................................... 53 f) Multiple offenders (differences, rules, effects) ....................................... 73 (i) Recidivism (ii) Habituality (Reiteracion) (iii) Quasi-Recidivism (iv) Habitual Delinquency g) Continuing crimes .................................................................................. 78 h) Complex crimes and special complex crimes ......................................... 79 3. Circumstances affecting criminal liability .................................................... 96 a) Justifying circumstances ........................................................................ 97 (i) Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. No. 9262) (a) Battered woman syndrome b) Exempting circumstances .................................................................... 108 (i) Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (R.A. No. 9344); also refer to Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. 603, as amended)

.................................................................................................... 115 (a) Definition of child in conflict with the law (b) Minimum age of criminal responsibility (c) Determination of age (d) Exemption from criminal liability (e) Treatment of child below age of responsibility (f) Status offenses under Sec. 57 of R.A. No. 9344 (g) Offenses not applicable to children under Sec. 58 of R.A. No. 9344 c) Mitigating circumstances ...................................................................... 121 d) Aggravating circumstances .................................................................. 129 (i) Generic ......................................................................................... 129 (ii) Qualifying ..................................................................................... 136 (a) Decree Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition, of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives (P.D. 1866, as amended by R.A. No. 8294) as an aggravating circumstance (b) The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. No. 9165) (i) As a qualifying aggravating circumstance (ii) Immunity from prosecution and punishment, coverage (iii) Minor offenders (iv) Application/Non- application of RPC provisions (Sec. 98, R.A. No. 9165) provisions (Sec. 98) cf. Art. 10, RPC e) Alternative circumstances .................................................................... 141 f) Absolutory cause .................................................................................. 141 4. Persons criminally liable/Degree of participation ...................................... 142 a) Decree Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders (P.D. 1829) .......................................................... 156 (i) Punishable acts (ii) Compare with Art. 20, RPC (accessories exempt from criminal liability) 5. Penalties .................................................................................................. 157 a) General principles ................................................................................. 162 (i) Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines (R.A. No. 9346) b) Purposes.............................................................................................. 168 c) Classification ........................................................................................ 168 d) Duration and Effect .............................................................................. 168 e) Application ........................................................................................... 168 (i) Indeterminate Sentence Law (R.A. No. 4103, as amended) (a) Application on the imposed sentence (b) Coverage (c) Conditions of parole (ii) Three-fold rule (iii) Subsidiary imprisonment

f) Execution and service ........................................................................... 179 (i) Probation Law (P.D. 968, as amended) ....................................... 180 (a) Definition of terms (b) Purpose (c) Grant of probation, manner and conditions (d) Criteria of placing an offender on probation (e) Disqualified offenders (f) Period of probation (g) Arrest of probationer (h) Termination of probation; exception (i) The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. No.

9165) (ii) Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (R.A. No. 9344); also refer to Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. 603, as amended) 184 (a) Definition of child in conflict with the law (b) Exemption from criminal liability (c) Juvenile justice and welfare system 6. Modification and extinction of criminal liability .......................................... 194 a) Prescription of crime; Prescription of Violations of Special Laws (Act. No. 3326) ................................................................................................. 198 b) Prescription of penalties ...................................................................... 199 c) Pardon by offended party .................................................................... 206 d) Pardon by the Chief Executive ............................................................ 206 e) Amnesty .............................................................................................. 206 B. Book II (Articles 114-365, RPC) and specifically included Special Laws 1. Crimes Against National Security (Arts. 114-123) .................................... 209 Include: a) Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery (P.D. 532) ............................ 211 (i) Definition of terms (ii) Punishable acts b) Anti-Hijacking Law (P.D. 6235) .......................................................... 214 (i) Punishable acts c) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) .................................... 214 (i) Punishable acts of terrorism (ii) Who are liable 2. Crimes Against the Fundamental Laws of the State (Articles 124-133) .... 214 Include: a) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) (i) Period of detention b) Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (R.A. No. 9745) (i) Punishable acts (ii) Who are liable 3. Crimes Against Public Order (Articles 134-160) ....................................... 218 Include: a) Decree Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or

Explosives (P.D. 1866, as amended by R.A. No. 8294), as further amended by the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (R.A. No. 10591) .......................................................................... 240 b) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) ..................................... 241 (i) Punishable acts of terrorism (ii) Who are liable (iii) Absorption principle in relation to complex crimes 4. Crimes Against Public Interest (Articles 161-187) .................................... 241 Include: a) R.A. No. 9194 – Anti-Money Laundering Act ...................................... 245 (i) Punishable acts (ii) Covered Transactions (iii) Suspicious Transactions 5. Crimes Relative to Opium and Other Prohibited Drugs ............................... 247 a) The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. No. 9165) . 248 (i) Punishable acts (ii) Who are liable (iii) Attempt or conspiracy, effect on liability (iv) Immunity from prosecution and punishment (v) Custody and disposition of confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs (Section 21, R.A. No. 9165) b) Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. No. 9165 .............. 248 6. Crimes Against Public Morals (Articles 200-202) ..................................... 253 Include: a) P.D. 1602 – Anti-Gambling Act as amended by R.A. 9287 – Illegal Numbers Game – which repealed Articles 195-199 of the RPC (i) Punishable acts b) Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. No. 9208) (i) Punishable acts 7. Crimes Committed by Public Officers (Articles 203-245) ......................... 255 Include: a) Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. No. 3019, as amended) .. 274 (i) Coverage (ii) Punishable acts (iii) Exceptions b) Anti-Plunder Act (R.A. No. 7080, as amended) .................................. 284 (i) Definition of terms (ii) Ill-gotten wealth (iii) Plunder (iv) Series/Combination (v) Pattern c) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) .................................... 286 (i) Failure to deliver suspect to proper judicial authority (ii) Infidelity in the custody of detained persons (iii) False prosecution 8. Crimes Against Persons (Articles 246-266) .............................................. 286

Include: a) Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. No. 9262) (i) Punishable acts b) Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (R.A. No. 9775) (i) Definition of terms (ii) Unlawful or punishable acts c) Anti-Hazing Law (R.A. No. 8049) ...................................................... 318 (i) Hazing (a) Definition (b) Allowed initiation rites (ii) Who are liable (iii) Punishable acts d) Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (R.A. No. 7610, as amended) ............................... 319 (i) Coverage (ii) Child prostitution, punishable acts (iii) Child trafficking, punishable acts e) Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (R.A. No. 9344), as further amended by the Act Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines (R.A. No. 10630). Read in relation with the Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. 603, as amended) (i) Punishable acts f) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) (i) Punishable acts of terrorism (ii) Who are liable 9. Crimes Against Personal Liberty and Security (Articles 267-292) ............ 322 Include: a) Anti-Wire Tapping Act (R.A. No. 4200) ............................................. 336 (i) Punishable acts (ii) Exceptions b) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) ..................................... 338 (i) Surveillance of suspects and interception and recording of communications (ii) Restriction on travel (iii) Examination of bank deposits and documents (a) Judicial Authorization (b) Application (iv) Unauthorized revelation of classified materials c) Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. No. 9208) ..................... 338 (i) Punishable acts 10. Crimes Against Property (Articles 293-332) ............................................. 338 Include: a) Anti-Fencing Law (P.D. 1612) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations......................................................................................... 376 (i) Fencing

Definition Presumption of fencing (ii) Exception (a) With clearance or permit to sell b) Bouncing Checks Law (B.P. Blg. 22), plus Administrative Circular No. 12-2000 Re: Penalty for Violation of B.P. 22 and Administrative Circular No. 13-2001 Re: Clarification of Admin. Circular No. 12-2000; and P.D. No. 1689 (Increasing the Penalty for Certain Forms of Swindling or Estafa) ............................................................................................... 380 (i) Punishable acts (ii) Evidence of knowledge of insufficient funds (iii) Preference of imposition of fine c) Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972 (R.A. No. 6539), as amended by R.A. No. 7659 .................................................................................................. 387 (i) Registration (iii) Who are liable (a) Duty of Collector of Customs (b) Duty of importers, distributors and sellers (c) Clearance and permit (iv) Punishable acts d) Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. No. 9372) ..................................... 389 (i) Punishable acts of terrorism e) Anti-Arson Law (P.D. 1613) .............................................................. 389 (i) Punishable acts 11. Crimes Against Chastity (Articles 333-334, 336-346) ............................... 389 Include: a) Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 (R.A. No. 9995) (i) Punishable acts b) Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (R.A. No. 7610, as amended) (i) Child prostitution and other acts of abuse (a) Punishable acts (b) Compare prosecution for Acts of Lasciviousness under Art. 366, RPC and R.A. No. 7610, as amended (ii) Obscene publications and indecent shows (a) Punishable acts c) Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. No. 9208) (i) Punishable acts d) Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. No. 9262) (i) Punishable acts 12. Crimes Against Civil Status (Articles 347-352) ......................................... 396 13. Crimes Against Honor (Articles 353-364) ................................................. 401 Include: a) Administrative Circular 08-2008 Re: Guidelines in the (a) (b)

Observance of a Rule of Preference in the Imposition of Penalties in Libel Cases (i) Preference of imposition of fine 14. Criminal Negligence (Article 365) ............................................................. 412 EXCLUDE: a. Penalties for specific crimes b. Special criminal laws not included in the above listing

I. Revised Penal Code (RPC) and related Special Laws A. Book 1 (Articles 1-99, RPC) [Exclude the provisions on civil liability] 1. Fundamental principles a) Definition of Criminal Law Principles of public international law exempt certain individuals from the Generality characteristic of criminal law. Who among the following are NOT exempt from the Generality rule? (2011 BAR) (A) Ministers Resident (B) Commercial Attache of a foreign country (C) Ambassador (D) Chiefs of Mission The maxim "Nullum crimen nula poena sine lege" means that (2011 BAR) (A) the act is criminal at the time of its commission and recognized as such at the time of its commission but the penalty therefor is prescribed in a subsequently enacted law. (B) the act is criminal and punished under and pursuant to common law. (C) there is a crime for as long as the act is inherently evil. (D) crime is a product of the law. When a penal law is absolutely repealed such that the offense is decriminalized, a pending case charging the accused of the repealed crime is to be (2011 BAR) (A) prosecuted still since the charge was valid when filed. (B) dismissed without any precondition. (C) dismissed provided the accused is not a habitual delinquent. (D) prosecuted still since the offended party has a vested interest in the repealed law. It is a matter of judicial knowledge that certain individuals will kill others or commit serious offenses for no reason at all. For this reason, (2011 BAR) (A) lack of motive can result in conviction where the crime and the accused's part in it are shown. (B) motive is material only where there is no evidence of criminal intent. (C) lack of motive precludes conviction. (D) the motive of an offender is absolutely immaterial. Motive is generally IMMATERIAL in determining criminal liability EXCEPT when (2011 BAR) (A) several offenders committed the crime but the court wants to ascertain which of them acted as leader. (B) the evidence of the crime consists of both direct and circumstantial evidence. (C) ascertaining the degree of penalty that may be imposed on the offender.

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(D) the evidence of guilt of the accused is circumstantial. X inflicted serious injuries on Y. Because of delay in providing medical treatment to Y, he died. Is X criminally liable for the death of Y? (2011 BAR) (A) Yes because the delay did not break the causal connection between X's felonious act and the injuries sustained by Y. (B) Yes because any intervening cause between the infliction of injury and death is immaterial. (C) No because the infliction of injury was not the immediate cause of the death. (D) No because the delay in the administration of the medical treatment was an intervening cause. X inflicted violent kicks on vital parts of E's body. E nevertheless was able to flee for fear of his life. Refusing to undergo treatment for his injuries, E died 3 days later. Is X liable for E’s death? (2011 BAR) (A) No, since kicks on the body cannot cause death. (B) No, since it took too long for death to occur. (C) Yes, since E cannot be compelled to undergo medical treatment. (D) Yes, since it was a natural result of the injuries X inflicted on E. What court has jurisdiction when an Indonesian crew murders the Filipino captain on board a vessel of Russian registry while the vessel is anchored outside the breakwaters of the Manila bay? (2011 BAR) (A) The Indonesian court. (B) The Russian court. (C) The Philippine court. (D) Any court that first asserts jurisdiction over the case. Criminal law – Wrongful acts which are not per se considered as criminal offense After due hearing on a petition for a writ of amparo founded on the acts of enforced disappearance and extralegal killing of the son of the complainant allegedly done by the respondent military officers, the court granted the petition. May the military officers be criminally charged in court with enforced disappearance and extralegal killing? Explain fully. (3%) (2008 Bar Question) SUGGESTED ANSWER: No. "Enforced disappearance and extralegal killing" is not per se a criminal offense although it is wrongful. The grant of a writ of amparo only provides a relief; it does not establish a basis for a crime. Unless the writ was issued because of specific overt acts shown to have been committed by the respondent military officers and such acts are crimes under penal laws, no criminal charge may be routinely filed just because the petition for the writ was granted.

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Are human rights violations considered as crimes in the Philippines? Explain. (3%) (2008 Bar Question) SUGGESTED ANSWER: Not necessarily, since there are human rights violations which do not amount to criminal offenses. In this country, there can be no crime when there is no law punishing an act or omission as a crime. Criminal law – Fundamental principles – Simultaneous prosecution of two different offenses May a ranking leader of the NPA who has taken up arms against the government be simultaneously prosecuted for violation of Section 1 of RA. 1700 (the ...