Suspension of Arraignment

Category: Criminal Procedure

Suspension of Arraignment

Sec.  11. Suspension of arraignment.  – Upon motion by the proper party, the arraignment shall be suspended in the following cases:
 
(a)  The  accused  appears  to  be  suffering  from  an  unsound  mental condition which effectively renders him unable to fully understand the  charge  against  him  and  to  plead  intelligently  thereto.  In  such case,   the   court   shall   order   his   mental   examination   and,   if necessary, his confinement for such purpose;

(b) There exists a prejudicial question; and
 
(c)  A  petition  for  review  of  the  resolution  of  the  prosecutor  is pending  at  either  the  Department  of  Justice,  or  the  Office  of  the President; provided, that the period of suspension shall not exceed sixty  (60)  days  counted  from  the  filing  of  the  petition  with  the reviewing office.
 

WHAT ARE THE GROUNDS FOR SUSPENDING ARRAIGNMENT?

1.    The  accused  appears  to  be  suffering  from  an  unsound  mental condition which effectively renders him unable to fully understand he charge against him and to plead intelligently thereto. In such
case,  the  court  shall  order  his  mental  examination  and,  if necessary, his confinement for such purpose;

2.    There exists a prejudicial question; and

3.    A petition for review of the resolution of the prosecutor is pending at either the Department of Justice, or the Office of the President; provided, that the period of suspension shall not exceed sixty (60)
days  counted  from  the  filing  of  the petition  with  the  reviewing office.
 

WHAT  IS  THE  TEST  TO  DETERMINE  WHETHER  THE  INSANITY  OF THE    ACCUSED    SHOULD    WARRANT    THE    SUSPENSION    OF PROCEEDINGS?

>     The  test  is  whether  the  accused  will  have  a  fair  trial  with  the assistance of counsel, in spite of his insanity
>     Not every aberration of the mind or exhibition of mental deficiency is sufficient to justify suspension