Modification Of Judgment
Section 7. Modification of judgment
Upon motion of the accused, a judgment of conviction may be modified
or set aside before it becomes final or before appeal is perfected.
NOTE: The prosecutor cannot ask for the modification of the judgment,
because the rules are clear that modification is only upon motion of
the accused.
FINALITY OF JUDGMENT
1. After the lapse of the period for perfecting an appeal; or
2. When the sentence has been partially or totally satisfied or served; or
3. When the accused has waived in writing his right to appeal; or
4. Accused has applied for probation.
NOTE: When the Death Penalty is imposed by the trial court, the SC
automatically reviews the decision.
Modification of Civil Aspect of Case
- The trial court may validly modify the civil aspect of its decision
within 15 days from promulgation thereof even though an appeal
from the judgment had already be perfected by the accused.
WHEN TRIAL COURT MAY LOSE JURISDICTION
EVEN BEFORE LAPSE OF 15 DAYS
1. defendant voluntarily submits to the execution of the judgment
2. defendant perfects an appeal
3. defendant withdraws his appeal
4. accused expressly waives in writing his right to appeal
5. accused files for probation
Section 8. Entry of judgment
How Entry of Judgment is Made
- The recording of the judgment or order in the book of entries of
judgments shall constitute its entry. The record shall contain the
dispositive portion or order and shall be signed by the clerk of
court with a certificate that such judgment or order has become
final and executory.
MITTIMUS
- It is a process issued by the court after conviction to carry out
the final judgment.
Section 9. Existing provisions governing suspension of sentence,
probation and parole not affected by this Rule
Exceptions For Suspension Of Sentence Of Youthful Offenders
1. offender has enjoyed previous suspension of sentence
2. offender is convicted of crime punishable by death or life imprisonment
3. offender is convicted by a military tribunal
4. offender is already of age at the time of sentencing even if he
was a minor at the time of the commission of the crime
PROBATION
- The period to file an application for probation is after the
accused shall have been convicted by the trial court and within
the period for perfecting an appeal.
Probation is a mere privilege and is revocable before
final discharge of the probationer by the court.
The basis of the coverage of the Probation Law is gravity of the
offense. Fixing the cut-off at a maximum term of 6 years
imprisonment is based on the assumption that those sentenced to
higher penalties pose too great a risk to society, not just
because of their demonstrated capability for serious
wrongdoing but because of the gravity of serious consequences of
the offense they might further commit.
OFFENDERS DISQUALIFIED FROM PROBATION
1. Those sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of
more than 6 years
2. Those charged with subversion or any crime against national
security or public order
3. Those previously convicted by final judgment of an offense
punished by imprisonment not less than 1 month and 1 day and/or
a fine not less than P200
4. Those who have been once on probation
5. Those who are already serving sentence at the time the
Probation Law of 1976 became applicable
WHEN THE COURT SHOULD DENY PROBATION
1. Offender is in need of treatment that can be provided most
effectively by his commitment to an institution
2. There is an undue risk that offender will commit another
crime during the period of probation
3. When probation will depreciate the seriousness of the crime
Sentence Imposed Period Of Probation
1. Not more than 1 year Not more than 2 years
2. More than 1 year Not more than 6 years
3. Fine only, but offender At least equal to the
serves subsidiary number of days of
imprisonment subsidiary imprisonment
but not more than twice
such period