DAY 3 (PM) Criminal Law Flashcards
I
Roberto and Ricardo have had a long-standing dispute regarding conflicting claims over the ownership of a parcel of land. One night, Roberto was so enraged that he decided to kill Ricardo. Roberto asked his best friend, Rafael, to lend him a gun and drive him to Ricardo’s house. Rafael knew about Roberto’s plan to kill Ricardo, but agreed to lend him a gun nevertheless. Rafael also drove Roberto to the street corner nearest the house of Ricardo. Rafael waited for him there, until the task had been accomplished, so that he could drive Roberto to the next town to evade arrest. Roberto also asked another friend, Ruel, to stand guard outside Ricardo’s house, for the purpose of warning him in case there was any danger or possible witnesses, and to keep other persons away from the vicinity. All three - Roberto, Rafael and Ruel - agreed to the plan and their respective roles.
On the agreed date, Rafael drove Roberto and Ruel to the nearest corner near Ricardo’s house. Roberto and Ruel walked about 50 meters where Ruel took his post as guard, and Roberto walked about five (5) meters more, aimed the gun at Ricardo’s bedroom, and peppered it with bullets. When he thought that he had accomplished his plan, Roberto ran away, followed by Ruel, and together they rode in Rafael’s car where they drove to the next town to spend the night there. It turned out that Ricardo was out of town when the incident happened, and no one was in his room at the time it was peppered with bullets. Thus, no one was killed or injured during the incident.
(a) Was a crime committed? If yes, what is/are the crime/s committed?
I
Roberto and Ricardo have had a long-standing dispute regarding conflicting claims over the ownership of a parcel of land. One night, Roberto was so enraged that he decided to kill Ricardo. Roberto asked his best friend, Rafael, to lend him a gun and drive him to Ricardo’s house. Rafael knew about Roberto’s plan to kill Ricardo, but agreed to lend him a gun nevertheless. Rafael also drove Roberto to the street corner nearest the house of Ricardo. Rafael waited for him there, until the task had been accomplished, so that he could drive Roberto to the next town to evade arrest. Roberto also asked another friend, Ruel, to stand guard outside Ricardo’s house, for the purpose of warning him in case there was any danger or possible witnesses, and to keep other persons away from the vicinity. All three - Roberto, Rafael and Ruel - agreed to the plan and their respective roles.
On the agreed date, Rafael drove Roberto and Ruel to the nearest corner near Ricardo’s house. Roberto and Ruel walked about 50 meters where Ruel took his post as guard, and Roberto walked about five (5) meters more, aimed the gun at Ricardo’s bedroom, and peppered it with bullets. When he thought that he had accomplished his plan, Roberto ran away, followed by Ruel, and together they rode in Rafael’s car where they drove to the next town to spend the night there. It turned out that Ricardo was out of town when the incident happened, and no one was in his room at the time it was peppered with bullets. Thus, no one was killed or injured during the incident.
(b) If a crime was committed, what is the degree of participation of Roberto, Rafael, and Ruel?
II
Rico, a hit man, positioned himself at the rooftop of a nearby building of a bank, to serve as a lookout for Red and Rod while the two were robbing the bank, as the three of them had previously planned. Ramiro, a policeman, responded to the reported robbery. Rico saw Ramiro and, to eliminate the danger of Red and Rod being caught, pulled the trigger of his rifle, intending to kill Ramiro. He missed as Ramiro slipped and fell down to the ground. Instead, a woman depositor who was coming out of the bank was fatally shot. After their apprehension, Rico, Red, and Rod were charged with the special complex crime of robbery with homicide. Rico’s defense was that he never intended to shoot and kill the woman, only Ramiro. Red and Rod’s defense was that they were not responsible for the death of the woman as they had no participation therein.
(a) Is Rico’s defense meritorious?
II
Rico, a hit man, positioned himself at the rooftop of a nearby building of a bank, to serve as a lookout for Red and Rod while the two were robbing the bank, as the three of them had previously planned. Ramiro, a policeman, responded to the reported robbery. Rico saw Ramiro and, to eliminate the danger of Red and Rod being caught, pulled the trigger of his rifle, intending to kill Ramiro. He missed as Ramiro slipped and fell down to the ground. Instead, a woman depositor who was coming out of the bank was fatally shot. After their apprehension, Rico, Red, and Rod were charged with the special complex crime of robbery with homicide. Rico’s defense was that he never intended to shoot and kill the woman, only Ramiro. Red and Rod’s defense was that they were not responsible for the death of the woman as they had no participation therein.
(b) Is Red and Rod’s defense meritorious?
III
On February 5, 2017, Rho Rio Fraternity held initiation rites. Present were: (i) Redmont, the Lord Chancellor and head of the fraternity; (ii) ten (10) members, one (1) of whom was Ric, and (iii) five (5) neophytes, one (1) of whom was Ronald. Absent were: (i) Rollie, the fraternity’s Vice Chancellor and who actually planned the initiation; and (ii) Ronnie, the owner of the house where the initiation was conducted.
Due to the severe beating suffered by Ronald on that occasion, he lost consciousness and was brought to the nearest hospital by Redmont and Ric. However, Ronald was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
During the investigation of the case, it was found out that, although Ronald really wanted to join the fraternity because his father is also a member of the same fraternity, it was his best friend Ric who ultimately convinced him to join the fraternity and, as a prerequisite thereto, undergo initiation. It was also shown that Redmont and Ric did not actually participate in the beating of the neophytes (hazing). The two (2) either merely watched the hazing or helped in preparing food. And, lastly, two (2) days prior thereto, Ronnie texted Rollie that the fraternity may use his house as the venue for the planned initiation.
Aside from those who actually participated in the hazing, Redmont, Rollie, Ric, and Ronnie were criminally charged for the hazing of Ronald that resulted in the latter’s death.
(a) Are the four criminally liable?
III
On February 5, 2017, Rho Rio Fraternity held initiation rites. Present were: (i) Redmont, the Lord Chancellor and head of the fraternity; (ii) ten (10) members, one (1) of whom was Ric, and (iii) five (5) neophytes, one (1) of whom was Ronald. Absent were: (i) Rollie, the fraternity’s Vice Chancellor and who actually planned the initiation; and (ii) Ronnie, the owner of the house where the initiation was conducted.
Due to the severe beating suffered by Ronald on that occasion, he lost consciousness and was brought to the nearest hospital by Redmont and Ric. However, Ronald was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
During the investigation of the case, it was found out that, although Ronald really wanted to join the fraternity because his father is also a member of the same fraternity, it was his best friend Ric who ultimately convinced him to join the fraternity and, as a prerequisite thereto, undergo initiation. It was also shown that Redmont and Ric did not actually participate in the beating of the neophytes (hazing). The two (2) either merely watched the hazing or helped in preparing food. And, lastly, two (2) days prior thereto, Ronnie texted Rollie that the fraternity may use his house as the venue for the planned initiation.
Aside from those who actually participated in the hazing, Redmont, Rollie, Ric, and Ronnie were criminally charged for the hazing of Ronald that resulted in the latter’s death.
(b) Can all those criminally charged be exonerated upon proof that Ronald, knowing the risks, voluntarily submitted himself to the initiation? Will the absence of proof that the accused intended to kill the victim affect their liability?
IV
On the way home from work, Rica lost her necklace to a snatcher. A week later, she saw what looked like her necklace on display in a jewelry store in Raon. Believing that the necklace on display was the same necklace snatched from her the week before, she surreptitiously took the necklace without the knowledge and consent of the store owner. Later, the loss of the necklace was discovered, and Rica was shown on the CCTV camera of the store as the culprit. Accordingly, Rica was charged with theft of the necklace. Rica raised the defense that she could not be guilty as charged because she was the owner of the necklace and that the element of intent to gain was lacking.
What should be the verdict if:
(a) The necklace is proven to be owned by Rica?
IV
On the way home from work, Rica lost her necklace to a snatcher. A week later, she saw what looked like her necklace on display in a jewelry store in Raon. Believing that the necklace on display was the same necklace snatched from her the week before, she surreptitiously took the necklace without the knowledge and consent of the store owner. Later, the loss of the necklace was discovered, and Rica was shown on the CCTV camera of the store as the culprit. Accordingly, Rica was charged with theft of the necklace. Rica raised the defense that she could not be guilty as charged because she was the owner of the necklace and that the element of intent to gain was lacking.
What should be the verdict if:
(b) It is proven that the store acquired the necklace from another person who was the real owner of the necklace?
V
With a promise of reward, Robert asked Romy to bring him a young girl that he (Robert) can have carnal knowledge with. Romy agreed, seized an eight-year old girl and brought her to Robert. After receiving his reward, Romy left while Robert proceeded to have carnal knowledge with the girl.
(a) For what felony may Robert and Romy be charged?
V
With a promise of reward, Robert asked Romy to bring him a young girl that he (Robert) can have carnal knowledge with. Romy agreed, seized an eight-year old girl and brought her to Robert. After receiving his reward, Romy left while Robert proceeded to have carnal knowledge with the girl.
(b) Will your answer in (a) be the same if the victim is a 15-year old lass who was enticed, through cunning and deceit of Romy, to voluntarily go to the house of Robert where the latter subsequently had carnal knowledge with her?
VI
A group of homeless and destitute persons invaded and occupied the houses built by the National Housing Authority (NHA) for certain military personnel. To gain entry to the houses, the group intimidated the security guards posted at the entrance gate with the firearms they were carrying and destroyed the padlocks of the doors of the houses with the use of crowbars and hammers. They claimed that they would occupy the houses and live therein because the houses were idle and they were entitled to free housing from the government.
For the reason that the houses were already awarded to military personnel who have been found to have fully complied with the requirements for the award thereof, NHA demanded the group to vacate within ten (10) days from notice the houses they occupied and were still occupying. Despite the lapse of the deadline, the group refused to vacate the houses in question.
What is the criminal liability of the members of the group, if any, for their actions?
VII
Robbie and Rannie are both inmates of the National Penitentiary, serving the maximum penalty for robbery which they committed some years before and for which they have been sentenced by final judgment. One day, Robbie tried to collect money owed by Rannie. Rannie insisted that he did not owe Robbie anything, and after a shouting episode, Rannie kicked Robbie in the stomach. Robbie fell to the ground in pain, and Rannie left him to go to the toilet to relieve himself. As Rannie was opening the door to the toilet and with his back turned against Robbie, Robbie stabbed him in the back with a bladed weapon that he had concealed in his waist. Hurt, Rannie ran to the nearest “kubol” where he fell. Robbie ran after him· and, while Rannie was lying on the ground, Robbie continued to stab him, inflicting a total of 15 stab wounds. He died on the spot. Robbie immediately surrendered to the Chief Warden. When prosecuted for the murder of Rannie, Robbie raised provocation and voluntary surrender as mitigating circumstances. The prosecution, on the other hand, claimed that there was treachery in the commission of the crime.
(a) Is Robbie a recidivist, or a quasi-recidivist?
VII
Robbie and Rannie are both inmates of the National Penitentiary, serving the maximum penalty for robbery which they committed some years before and for which they have been sentenced by final judgment. One day, Robbie tried to collect money owed by Rannie. Rannie insisted that he did not owe Robbie anything, and after a shouting episode, Rannie kicked Robbie in the stomach. Robbie fell to the ground in pain, and Rannie left him to go to the toilet to relieve himself. As Rannie was opening the door to the toilet and with his back turned against Robbie, Robbie stabbed him in the back with a bladed weapon that he had concealed in his waist. Hurt, Rannie ran to the nearest “kubol” where he fell. Robbie ran after him· and, while Rannie was lying on the ground, Robbie continued to stab him, inflicting a total of 15 stab wounds. He died on the spot. Robbie immediately surrendered to the Chief Warden. When prosecuted for the murder of Rannie, Robbie raised provocation and voluntary surrender as mitigating circumstances. The prosecution, on the other hand, claimed that there was treachery in the commission of the crime.
(b) Can the mitigating circumstances raised by Robbie, if proven, lower the penalty for the crime committed?
VIII
Randy was prosecuted for forcible abduction attended by the aggravating circumstance of recidivism. After trial, the court held that the prosecutor was able to prove the charge. Nonetheless, it appreciated in favor of Randy, on the basis of the defense’s evidence, the mitigating circumstances of voluntary surrender, uncontrollable fear, and provocation. Under Art. 342 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), the penalty for forcible abduction is reclusion temporal.
Applying the Indeterminate Sentence Law, what penalty should be imposed on Randy?
IX
Rashid asked Rene to lend him PhP50,000, payable in six (6) months and, as payment for the loan, Rashid issued a postdated check for the said amount plus the agreed interest. Rashid assured Rene that the account would have sufficient funds on maturity date. On that date, Rene presented the check to the drawee bank for payment but it was dishonored for the reason that it was drawn against insufficient funds (DAIF).
Rene sent Rashid a timely notice of dishonor of the check and demanded the latter to make good the same within five (5) days from notice. After the lapse of the five (5)-day notice, Rene redeposited the check with the drawee bank but it was again dishonored for the same reason, i.e., DAIF. Rene thereafter filed two (2) separate criminal actions against Rashid: (1) Estafa under Art. 315(2)(d) of the RPC, as amended by R.A. No. 4885, i.e, estafa committed by postdating a check, or issuing a check in payment of an obligation without sufficient funds in the bank; and (2) Violation of B.P. 22 or the Bouncing Checks Law.
(a) Can he be held liable under both actions?