Preliminary Investigation in Criminal Cases

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Preliminary Investigation in Criminal Cases

Published byAtty. FredSeptember 17th, 2007 inCriminal a!anditigation and abor a!.

10 Comments

At the outset, let"s remove any possibility o# misunderstanding that may be $aused by thetitle o# this post. %he re#eren$e to a &preliminary investigation in $riminal $ases' does notimply that there"s a preliminary investigation in $ivil $ases ( there"s none. Preliminaryinvestigation is a part o# the rules o# $riminal pro$edure. Simply stated, it"s available)*+ in $riminal $ases.

What is Preliminary Investigation?

Preliminary investigation is an inuiry or pro$eeding to determine !hether there issu##i$ient ground to engender a !ell-#ounded belie# that a $rime has been $ommitted andthe respondent is probably guilty thereo#, and should be held #or trial.

What is the Nature and Purpose of preliminary investigation?

%he determination o#probable $auseduring a preliminary investigation is an ee$utive#un$tion, the $orre$tness o# the eer$ise o# !hi$h is a matter that the trial $ourt itsel# doesnot and may not be $ompelled to pass upon.

In a preliminary investigation, the investigating prose$utor ma/es a determination i#there"s a probable $ause, !hi$h is the eisten$e o# su$h #a$ts and $ir$umstan$es as !oulde$ite the belie#, in a reasonable mind, a$ting on the #a$ts !ithin the /no!ledge o# theprose$utor, that the person $harged !as guilty o# the $rime #or !hi$h he !as prose$uted.It has been eplained as a reasonable presumption that a matter is, or may be, !ell#ounded, su$h a state o# #a$ts in the mind o# the prose$utor as !ould lead a person o#ordinary $aution and pruden$e to believe, or entertain an honest or strong suspi$ion, thata thing is so. %he term does not mean &a$tual and positive $ause' nor does it importabsolute $ertainty. It is merely based on opinion and reasonable belie#. %hus, a #inding o#probable $ause does not reuire an inuiry into !hether there is su##i$ient eviden$e topro$ure a $onvi$tion. It is enough that it is believed that the a$t or omission $omplainedo# $onstitutes the o##ense $harged, as there is a trial #or the re$eption o# eviden$e o# theprose$ution in support o# the $harge.

%he purpose o# a preliminary investigation is to se$ure the inno$ent against hasty,mali$ious and oppressive prose$ution, and to prote$t him #rom an open and publi$a$$usation o# a $rime, #rom the trouble, epense and aniety o# a publi$ trial, and also toprote$t the state #rom useless and epensive trials. A preliminary investigation serves notonly the purposes o# the State. ore important, it is a part o# the guarantees o# #reedomand #air play !hi$h are birthrights o# all !ho live in our $ountry. It is there#ore,imperative upon the #is$al or the udge as the $ase may be, to relieve the a$$used #rom thepain o# going through a trial on$e it is as$ertained that the eviden$e is insu##i$ient tosustain a prima #a$ie $ase or that no probable $ause eists to #orm a su##i$ient belie# as tothe guilt o# the a$$used. %he udge or #is$al, there#ore, should not go on !ith theprose$ution in the hope that some $redible eviden$e might later turn up during trial #orthis !ould be in #lagrant violation o# a basi$ right !hi$h the $ourts are $reated to uphold.Salonga vs. Cru3 Pa45o6

When is preliminary investigation required?
http://jlp-law.com/blog/preliminary-investigation-criminal-cases/http://jlp-law.com/blog/author/http://jlp-law.com/blog/author/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/criminal-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/criminal-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/litigation-labor-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/litigation-labor-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/litigation-labor-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/preliminary-investigation-criminal-cases/#commentshttp://wiki.lawcenter.ph/index.php?title=Probable_causehttp://jlp-law.com/blog/author/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/criminal-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/category/litigation-labor-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/preliminary-investigation-criminal-cases/#commentshttp://wiki.lawcenter.ph/index.php?title=Probable_causehttp://jlp-law.com/blog/preliminary-investigation-criminal-cases/


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A preliminary investigation is reuired to be $ondu$ted be#ore the #iling o# a $omplaint orin#ormation #or an o##ense !here the penalty pres$ribed by la! is at least #our 6 years,t!o 26 months and one 16 day, !ithout regard to the #ine.

A preliminary investigation is not reuired in $ases o# &!arrantless arrests.' 8hen aperson is la!#ully arrested !ithout a !arrant involving an o##ense !hi$h reuires apreliminary investigation, the $omplaint or in#ormation may be #iled by a prose$utor!ithout need o# su$h investigation provided an inuest has been $ondu$ted in a$$ordan$e!ith eisting rules. 9o!ever, a#ter the #iling o# the $omplaint or in#ormation in $ourt!ithout a preliminary investigation, the a$$used may, !ithin #ive :6 days #rom the timehe learns o# its #iling, as/ #or a preliminary investigation.

Who are the officers authorized to conduct preliminary investigations?

%he #ollo!ing may $ondu$t preliminary investigations;

a6 Provin$ial or City Prose$utors and their assistantseply-A##idavit by the $omplainant6 and>eoinder-A##idavit by the respondent6.:. >esolution.

What are the requirements in filing the Complaint-Affidavit?

%he $omplaint shall state the address o# the respondent and shall be a$$ompanied by thea##idavits o# the $omplainant and his !itnesses, as !ell as other supporting do$uments to

establish probable $ause. %hey shall be in su$h number o# $opies as there are respondents,plus t!o 26 $opies #or the o##i$ial #ile. %he a##idavits shall be subs$ribed and s!orn tobe#ore any prose$utor or government o##i$ial authori3ed to administer oath, or, in theirabsen$e or unavailability, be#ore a notary publi$, ea$h o# !hom must $erti#y that hepersonally eamined the a##iants and that he is satis#ied that they voluntarily ee$uted andunderstood their a##idavits.

%he $omplaint is also generally reuired to pay #iling #ees.

What actions are taen by the investigating prosecutor after the complaint is raffled

to him!her?

8ithin ten 106 days a#ter the #iling o# the $omplaint, the investigating o##i$er shall eitherdismiss it i# he #inds no ground to $ontinue !ith the investigation, or issue asubpoena tothe respondent atta$hing to it a $opy o# the $omplaint and its supporting a##idavits anddo$uments.

I haven"t en$ountered any $ase !here the investigating prose$utor dismissed the $aseprior to the issuan$e o# thesubpoena. oreover, in pra$ti$e, the $omplaint and the


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annees are not usually atta$hed to thesubpoena, but are provided to the respondentduring the initial stage.

"o# is the Counter-Affidavit submitted by the respondent?

8ithin ten 106 days #rom re$eipt o# the subpoena !ith the $omplaint and supportinga##idavits and do$uments, the respondent shall submit his $ounter-a##idavit and that o# his!itnesses and other supporting do$uments relied upon #or his de#ense. %he $ounter-a##idavits shall be subs$ribed and s!orn to and $erti#ied be#ore the investigatingprose$utor !hi$h means that the respondent must generally be present during thesubmission o# the $ounter-a##idavit6, !ith $opies #urnished to the $omplainant. %herespondent is not be allo!ed to #ile a motion to dismiss in lieu o# a $ounter-a##idavit.

Can the investigating prosecutor resolve the complaint if the respondent does not

appear?

+es. I# the respondent $annot besubpoenaed, or i#subpoenaed, does not submit $ounter-a##idavits, the investigating o##i$e shall resolve the $omplaint based on the eviden$epresented by the $omplainant. 8ithin ten 106 days a#ter the investigation, theinvestigating o##i$er shall determine !hether or not there is su##i$ient ground to hold therespondent #or trial.

%his is the reason !hy, even in $ases !here a preliminary investigation is reuired, it"sentrely possible that a !arrant o# arrest may be isued !ithout the respondent@a$$usedbeing in#ormed about or having parti$ipated in a preliminary investigation. So, don"tdisregard asubpoena in a preliminary investigation.

"o# is the resolution prepared?

I# the investigating prose$utor #inds $ause to hold the respondent #or trial, he shallprepare the resolution and in#ormation. 9e shall $erti#y under oath in the in#ormation thathe, or as sho!n by the re$ord, an authori3ed o##i$er, has personally eamined the$omplainant and his !itnesses< that there is reasonable ground to believe that a $rime hasbeen $ommitted and that the a$$used is probably guilty thereo#< that the a$$used !asin#ormed o# the $omplaint and o# the eviden$e submitted against him< and that he !asgiven an opportunity to submit $ontroverting eviden$e. )ther!ise, he shall re$ommendthe dismissal o# the $omplaint.

8ithin #ive :6 days #rom his resolution, he shall #or!ard the re$ord o# the $ase to theprovin$ial or $ity prose$utor or $hie# state prose$utor, or to the )mbudsman or his deputyin $ases o# o##enses $ogni3able by the Sandiganbayan in the eer$ise o# its originalurisdi$tion. %hey shall a$t on the resolution !ithin ten 106 days #rom their re$eiptthereo# and shall immediately in#orm the parties o# su$h a$tion.

Can the Information be filed #ithout the #ritten authority of the proper

authorities?

*o $omplaint or in#ormation may be #iled or dismissed by an investigating prose$utor

!ithout the prior !ritten authority or approval o# the provin$ial or $ity prose$utor or $hie#state prose$utor or the )mbudsman or his deputy.

8here the investigating prose$utor re$ommends the dismissal o# the $omplaint but hisre$ommendation is disapproved by the provin$ial or $ity prose$utor or $hie# stateprose$utor or the )mbudsman or his deputy on the ground that a probable $ause eists,the latter may, by himsel#, #ile the in#ormation against the respondent, or dire$t another


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assistant prose$utor or state prose$utor to do so !ithout $ondu$ting another preliminaryinvestigation.

An In#ormation #iled in $ourt may be uashed, among other reasons, i# it does not $ontain

the approval or authority o# the a#orementioned superiors.

What is the procedure if the preliminary investigation is conducted by a $udge?

%he pro$edure is basi$ally the same as des$ribed above. 8ithin ten 106 days a#ter thepreliminary investigation, the investigating udge shall transmit the resolution o# the $aseto the provin$ial or $ity prose$utor, or to the )mbudsman or his deputy in $ases o#o##enses $ogni3able by the Sandiganbayan in the eer$ise o# its original urisdi$tion, #orappropriate a$tion. %he resolution shall state the #indings o# #a$ts and the la! supportinghis a$tion, together !ith the re$ord o# the $ase !hi$h shall in$lude; a6 the !arrant, i# thearrest is by virtue o# a !arrant< b6 the a##idavits, $ounter-a##idavits and other supporting

eviden$e o# the parties< $6 the underta/ing or bail o# the a$$used and the order #or hisrelease< d6 the trans$ripts o# the pro$eedings during the preliminary investigation< and e6the order o# $an$ellation o# his bail bond, i# the resolution is #or the dismissal o# the$omplaint.

8ithin thirty ?06 days #rom re$eipt o# the re$ords, the provin$ial or $ity prose$utor, orthe )mbudsman or his deputy, as the $ase may be, shall revie! the resolution o# theinvestigating udge on the eisten$e o# probable $ause. %heir ruling shall epressly and$learly state the #a$ts and the la! on !hi$h it is based and the parties shall be #urnished!ith $opies thereo#. %hey shall order the release o# an a$$used !ho is detained i# noprobable $ause is #ound against him.

>elated Posts;

1. oun$ing Che$/s .P. 226

2. B##e$t o# Annulment in a Criminal Case #or igamy

?. Bmployers" duty under the Anti-Seual 9arassment A$t

. %he Anti->ape a! o# 17

:. >evised >ule on Children in Con#li$t !ith the a!

>ule 112, parti$ularly Se$tion ? o# the >ules o# Court, lays do!n thebasi$ pro$edure in preliminary investigation, as #ollo!s;

Se$. ?. Pro$edure. ( %he preliminary investigation shall be$ondu$ted in the #ollo!ing manner;

a6 %he $omplaint shall state the address o# the respondent andshall be a$$ompanied by the a##idavits o# the $omplainant and his

!itnesses, as !ell as other supporting do$uments to establish probable$ause. %hey shall be in su$h number o# $opies as there are respondents,plus t!o 26 $opies #or the o##i$ial #ile. %he a##idavits shall be subs$ribedand s!orn to be#ore any prose$utor or government o##i$ial authori3ed toadminister oath, or, in their absen$e or unavailability, be#ore a notarypubli$, ea$h o# !hom must $erti#y that he personally eamined the a##iants
http://jlp-law.com/blog/bouncing-checks-bp-22/http://jlp-law.com/blog/effect-annulment-criminal-case-bigamy/http://jlp-law.com/blog/employers-duty-under-anti-sexual-harassment-act-1995-republic-7877/http://jlp-law.com/blog/anti-rape-law-1997-republic-act-8353/http://jlp-law.com/blog/revised-rule-on-children-in-conflict-with-the-law/http://jlp-law.com/blog/bouncing-checks-bp-22/http://jlp-law.com/blog/effect-annulment-criminal-case-bigamy/http://jlp-law.com/blog/employers-duty-under-anti-sexual-harassment-act-1995-republic-7877/http://jlp-law.com/blog/anti-rape-law-1997-republic-act-8353/http://jlp-law.com/blog/revised-rule-on-children-in-conflict-with-the-law/


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and that he is satis#ied that they voluntarily ee$uted and understood theira##idavits.

b6 8ithin ten 106 days a#ter the #iling o# the $omplaint, the

investigating o##i$er shall either dismiss it i# he #inds no ground to$ontinue !ith the investigation, or issue a subpoena to the respondentatta$hing to it a $opy o# the $omplaint and its supporting a##idavits anddo$uments.

%he respondent shall have the right to eamine the eviden$esubmitted by the $omplainant !hi$h he may not have been #urnished andto $opy them at his epense. I# the eviden$e is voluminous, the$omplainant may be reuired to spe$i#y those !hi$h he intends to presentagainst the respondent, and these shall be made available #or eaminationor $opying by the respondent at his epense.

)be$ts as eviden$e need not be #urnished a party but shall bemade available #or eamination, $opying, or photographing at the epenseo# the reuesting party.

$6 8ithin ten 106 days #rom re$eipt o# the subpoena !ith the$omplaint and supporting a##idavits and do$uments, the respondent shallsubmit his $ounter-a##idavit and that o# his !itnesses and other supportingdo$uments relied upon #or his de#ense. %he $ounter-a##idavits, shall besubs$ribed and s!orn to and $erti#ied as provided in paragraph a6 o# thisse$tion, !ith $opies thereo# #urnished by him to the $omplainant. %he

respondent shall not be allo!ed to #ile a motion to dismiss in lieu o# a$ounter-a##idavit.

d6 I# the respondent $annot be subpoenaed, or i# subpoenaed,does not submit $ounter-a##idavits !ithin the ten 106 day period, theinvestigating o##i$er shall resolve the $omplaint based on the eviden$epresented by the $omplainant.

e6 %he investigating o##i$er may set a hearing i# there are #a$tsand issues to be $lari#ied #rom a party or a !itness. %he parties $an bepresent at the hearing but !ithout the right to eamine or $ross-eamine.%hey may, ho!ever, submit to the investigating o##i$er uestions !hi$hmay be as/ed to the party or !itness $on$erned.

%he hearing shall be held !ithin ten 106 days #rom submission o#the $ounter-a##idavits and other do$uments or #rom the epiration o# theperiod #or their submission. It shall be terminated !ithin #ive :6 days.

#6 8ithin ten 106 days a#ter the investigation, theinvestigating o##i$er shall determine !hether or not there is su##i$ientground to hold the respondent #or trial.

%his provision o# the >ules does not reuire a $on#rontation bet!eenthe parties. Preliminary investigation is ordinarily $ondu$ted throughsubmission o# a##idavits and supporting do$uments, through the e$hange o#

pleadings.

Documents

Preliminary Investigation in Criminal Cases