COURT PILLAR

Court - Is a government institution that decides a case, according to the existing laws or the laws of the land. It
adjudicates legal disputes between citizens, or between the citizens and the government.

Judge- A public officer so named in his commission and appointed to preside over and to administer the law in
a court of justice.

JURISDICTION
It is the authority of the court to hear and try a particular offense and to impose the punishment
provided by law.

VENUE
Refers to the place, location or site where the case is to be heard on its merits.

General functions of the Courts in relation of the CJS:

1. To protect the rights of the accused – the courts are responsible for reviewing the actions of law
enforcement agencies to ensure that the police have not violated the rights of the accused;
2. To determine by all legal means whether a person is guilty of a crime – review all the evidences
presented by the police to determine its relevance and admissibility in accordance with the Constitution
and the rules of Court;
3. To dispose properly of those convicted of the crimes – the Courts have the responsibility to
examine the background of the accused and the circumstances of the crime;
4. To protect the society – after the accused has been found guilty, the court may determine if the
offender should be removed from society and incarcerated in order to protect the safety of life and
property and this is specially in case of Probation;
5. To prevent and reduce criminal behavior –this is the task properly imposing the proper penalty and
sanctions that will serve to deter the future criminal acts by the offender an also serve as an example
and deterrent to others who would commit criminal acts or threaten public safety.

IMPORTANCE OF THE COURTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CJS:

Because the Court is the final arbiter of all disputes involving violations of criminal law.
Basic is the principle in law that we are a government of law and that no one should put the law into
one’s own hand. Otherwise, our Society will be one were chaos and anarchy reign supreme.

Composition of Philippine Courts

Regular Courts:
1. Municipal Trial Court/Municipal Circuit Trial Court/Metropolitan Trial Court
Original Jurisdiction:
(a) all violations of city and Municipal ordinances,
(b) all offenses punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years
irrespective of the amount of fine,
(c) damage to property through criminal negligence;

2. Regional Trial Court (RTC)

Original Jurisdiction:
(a) those which carry the penalties exceeding six (6) years of imprisonment,
(b) those not covered by the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.
3. Court of Appeals.
Appellate jurisdiction: Decisions or judgements of the RTC
4. Supreme Court
Appellate jurisdiction: Decisions or judgements of the CA and the Sandiganbayan.
Special Courts:

1. Sandiganbayan (Created pursuant to PD 1606)

Original Jurisdiction: Violations of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 1379, and
Chapter II, Section 2 Title VII, of Book II of the RPC.
1. officials of the executive branch of the government occupying the positions of regional
director and higher, otherwise classified as Grade 27 and higher.
2. Philippine Army and Air force colonels, naval captain and all officers of higher rank.
3. Officer of the PNP (provincial director and those holding the rank of senior superintendent or
higher)

2. Court of Tax Appeals

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.

COURT PROCEEDINGS

1. Arraignment - the reading to the accused in open court of the complaint or information.
A copy of the complaint/information shall be given to the accused. List of witnesses will also be given to
the accused. The accused pleads guilty or not guilty.

2. Pre – trial - an informal trial which precedes the regular trial. Primarily intended to expedite the proceeding.
This is done through a Pre-Trial Conference conducted by the court.

Plea bargaining (guilty or not guilty)

Stipulation of facts (specification)
Admission of facts
Marking documentary evidence (Prosecution 123; Defense ABC)
Waiver of objection to the admissibility of evidence

3. Trial- the formal investigation of the 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.

4. Judgment- the adjudication by the court that the accused is guilty or not guilty. It must be written in the
official language,
Personally, and directly prepared and signed by the judge. Must contain legal bases of decision.

PROMULGATION OF JUDGMENT
 The judgment is promulgated by reading it in the presence of the accused and any judge of the court in
which it was rendered. However, if the conviction is for a light offense, the judgment may be pronounced in the
presence of his counsel or representative. When the judge is absent or outside the province or city, the
judgment may be promulgated by the clerk of court.

5. Appeal- the whole case is elevated to a higher court for review and final adjudication.
Within 15 days – period of entering appeal from the date of promulgation.
After 15 days – the decision shall be Final and Executory

WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO APPEAL?

As a rule, this right is only granted to the convicted offender. However, the Supreme Court in one of its
landmark decisions held that the right to appeal shall not be denied to the government prosecutor when proper.

WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO CONVICT THE ACCUSED

The weight of the evidence required in order to convict an accused is “Proof beyond reasonable doubt”

ACQUITTAL
It is a finding of not guilty based on the merits. Meaning, the accused is acquitted because the evidence
does not show that his guilt is beyond reasonable doubt.