Duplicity Of The Offense

Category: Criminal Procedure

Duplicity Of The Offense

Sec. 13. Duplicity of the offense. – A complaint or information must charge  only  one  offense,  except  when  the  law  prescribes  a  single punishment for various offenses.

WHAT IS THE RULE ON DUPLICITY OF OFFENSES?

> General  rule:  A  complaint  or  information  must  charge  only  one offense
> Exception:  when  the  law  provides  only  one  punishment  for  the various offenses (complex and compound crimes under Article 48 of the RPC and special complex crimes)

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE FAILURE OF THE ACCUSED TO OBJECT TO A DUPLICITOUS INFORMATION?

> If  the  accused  fails  to  object  before  arraignment,  the  right  is deemed waived, and he may be convicted of as many offenses as there are charged

WHAT IS  THE REMEDY OF AN ACCUSED IN CASE OF DUPLICITOUS OFFENSES CHARGED AGAINST HIM?

> The accused may file a motion to quash on void complaint