10/27/2017 Continuous Trial System

Continuous Trial System

Criminal Procedure

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Continuous Trial System

Sec. 2. Continuous trial until terminated; postponements. Trial once commenced shall continue from day to day as far as
practicable until terminated. It may be postponed for a reasonable
period of time for good cause.

The court shall, after consultation with the prosecutor and defense counsel, set the case for continuous trail on a weekly or other short-
term trial calendar at the earliest possible time so as to ensure speedy trial. In no case shall the entire trial period exceed one hundred
eighty (180) days from the first day of trial, except as otherwise authorized by the Supreme Court.
The time limitations provided under this section and the preceding section shall not apply where special laws or circulars of the Supreme
Court provide for a shorter period of trial.

WHAT PROCEDURE IS USED TO AVAIL HIS

RIGHT TO SPEEDY TRIAL?
> Continuous trial systema tool for the early and expeditious disposition of a case

WHAT IS THE CONTINUOUS TRIAL SYSTEM?

> Trial once commenced shall continue from day to day as far as practicable until terminated.
> It may be postponed for a reasonable period of time for good cause.
> The court shall, after consultation with the prosecutor and defense counsel, set the case for continuous trail on a weekly or other
short-term trial calendar at the earliest possible time so as to ensure speedy trial.
> In no case shall the entire trial period exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the first day of trial, except as otherwise authorized
by the Supreme Court.

HOW DO YOU ENSURE CONTINUOUS TRIAL

SYSTEM?
> There must be a time limit within which the case should be terminated

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDING

JUDGE UNDER THE CONTINUOUS TRIAL SYSTEM?
1. Adhere faithfully to the session hours prescribed by laws
2. Maintain full control of the proceedings
3. Efficiently allocate and use time and court resources to avoid court delays

IS THE TIME LIMIT ABSOLUTE?

> No

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10/27/2017 Continuous Trial System

IN WHICH CASES IS THE TIME LIMITATION NOT

APPLICABLE?
1. CRIMINAL CASES COVERED BY THE RULES ON SUMMARY PROCEDURE OR THOSE WHERE THE PENALTY DOESNT
EXCEED 6 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE OF P1000: governed by the
rules on summary procedure
2. WHEN THE OFFENDED PARTY IS ABOUT TO DEPART WITH NO DEFINITE DATE OF RETURNtrial shall commence
within 3 days from the date of arraignment, and cannot be postponed except on
grounds over which the accused has no control
3. CHILD ABUSE CASEStrial shall commence within 3 days from arraignment and cannot be postponed except on grounds of illness
of the accused or other grounds beyond his control
4. VIOLATIONS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS LAWtrial shall be finished within 3 months from the filing of the information
5. KIDNAPPING, ROBBERY IN A BAND, ROBBERY AGAINST A BANKING OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, VIOLATION
OF THE CARNAPPING ACT, AND OTHER HEINOUS CRIMEStrial shall be finished within 60 days from the first day of trial

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