Civil Liability

Category: Criminal Procedure

Civil Liability

WHAT CONSTITUTES CIVIL LIABILITY?

> According  to  Article  104  of  the  RPC,  civil  liability  includes restitution,   reparation,   and   indemnification   for   consequential damages

WHAT  IS  THE  BASIS  FOR  THE  BROADER  CONCEPT  OF  CIVIL LIABILITY?

> The  broader  concept  of  civil  liability  means  that  every  person criminally liable is also civilly liable
> This  is  because  in  a  criminal  offense,  there  are  two  offended parties—the state and the private offended party

IF THE COMPLAINT DOESN’T CONTAIN AN ALLEGATION   FOR DAMAGES, IS THE OFFENDER STILL LIABLE FOR THEM?

> Yes, because every person criminally liable is also civilly liable
> Exception:  when  the  offended  party  has  waived  or  has  reserved the right to institute the civil action separately
 

WHAT IS THE RULE ON PAYMENT OF DOCKET FEES ON CIVIL LIABILITY?

> If the offended party seeks to enforce civil liability against accused by  way  of  moral,  nominal,  temperate,  or  exemplary  damages (other than actual), the following are the bases for docket fees:
o      If amount other than actual damages is stated, it will be based on the stated amount
o      If no amount is stated, no docket fees will be paid yet but the  docket  fees  to  be  paid  will  constitute  a  lien  on  the damages that will be awarded
 

WHEN SHOULD THE RESERVATION BE MADE?

> The  reservation  should  be  made  before  the  prosecution  presents its evidence and under circumstances affording the offended party a reasonable opportunity to make such reservation
 

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE RULE REQUIRING RESERVATION?

> The  reason  is  to  prevent  double  recovery  from  the  same  act  or omission
 

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE OFFENDED  PARTY,  IN THE CRIMINAL CASE  THROUGH PRIVATE PROSECUTOR?

> The  appearance  of  the  offended  party  may  not  per  se  be considered  either  as  an  implied  election  to  have  his  claim  for damages determined in said proceedings or a waiver of the right
to have determined separately
 

IN A BP22 CASE, CAN THE OFFENDED PARTY MAKE A RESERVATION OF THE CIVIL ACTION?

> No, the criminal action shall be deemed to include the civil action, and the offended party is not allowed to make the reservation
> The actual damages and the filing fees shall be equivalent to the value of the check.