Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5179)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 5179 is to create Circuit Criminal Courts in each of the sixteen judicial districts to try and decide certain criminal cases with limited jurisdiction concurrent with the regular Court of First Instance.
Circuit Criminal Courts are created in each of the sixteen judicial districts for the Courts of First Instance as presently constituted.
Circuit Criminal Courts have jurisdiction over crimes committed by public officers, crimes against persons, crimes against property under the Revised Penal Code, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA No. 3019), RA No. 1379, and certain violations under the Tariff and Customs Code and National Internal Revenue Code.
The judges of the Circuit Criminal Courts are appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
Circuit Criminal Court judges have the same qualifications, rank, compensations, and privileges as judges of the Courts of First Instance and are subject to the same restrictions, disabilities, suspension, or removal procedures.
Circuit Criminal Courts may hold sessions anywhere within their respective judicial districts, but cases must be heard within the province where the crime was committed unless the Supreme Court approves a venue in a neighboring province.
The Secretary of Justice designates personnel from the Courts of First Instance as staff for the Circuit Criminal Courts, can appoint permanent personnel, and may assign circuit judges to other judicial districts to assist with cases.
No, criminal cases cognizable by the Circuit Criminal Courts pending and partially tried by the Courts of First Instance as of the Act's approval shall continue to be tried and decided by the Courts of First Instance.
Judgment in cases tried by the Circuit Criminal Courts should be rendered within thirty (30) days from the time the case is submitted for decision.
The Circuit Criminal Courts are under the administrative supervision of the Department of Justice.