QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 6033)
To require courts, city/provincial fiscals, and related agencies to give preference in the hearing and/or disposition of criminal cases where an indigent is involved, either as offended party or accused.
Habeas corpus and election cases, cases involving detention prisoners, and persons covered by R.A. No. 4908.
All courts must give preference for criminal cases involving an indigent; city and provincial fiscals must likewise conduct the preliminary investigation on time as required.
The trial must commence within three (3) days from the date of arraignment.
No postponement of hearings shall be granted except on the ground of illness of the accused or other similar justifiable grounds.
The fiscal must conduct the preliminary investigation within three (3) days after its filing.
The fiscal must terminate the preliminary investigation within two (2) weeks.
A person with no visible means of income, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence of his family, determined by the fiscal or judge, considering dependents supported by him.
The fiscal or the judge, based on the factors stated in the law.
By filing a sworn statement of indigency; the sworn statement is sufficient basis for the court or fiscal to grant preference.
A sworn statement (affidavit) stating the fact of being indigent.
The law provides that an indigent who desires to avail of the preference must file a sworn statement; this sworn statement is the sufficient basis for preference.
It constitutes sufficient ground for disciplinary action, which may include suspension or removal.
Yes. The statute applies when an indigent is involved either as the offended party or as the accused.
It indicates that R.A. No. 6033 overrides conflicting provisions of existing laws regarding the scheduling/preference of such criminal cases, subject to the stated exceptions.