An Act to Provide for The Prosecution of All Persons Who Appear to Be Liable for A Crime and to Establish Conditions for The Discharge of Certain Accused Persons to Be Used As Government Witnesses
Act No. 2709, enacted on March 11, 1917, establishes procedures for prosecuting individuals accountable for crimes in the name of the United States. It allows for the discharge of certain accused individuals to serve as government witnesses, contingent upon specific criteria, including the necessity of their testimony and their relative culpability. The Act also mandates that any inconsistent laws or provisions be repealed and takes effect upon its approval.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- Act No. 2709
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Statutes
- Subcategory
- Acts
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
March 11, 1917
ACT NO. 2709
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROSECUTION OF ALL PERSONS WHO APPEAR TO BE LIABLE FOR A CRIME AND TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS FOR THE DISCHARGE OF CERTAIN ACCUSED PERSONS TO BE USED AS GOVERNMENT WITNESSES
SECTION 1. Every prosecution for a crime shall be in the name of the United States against all persons who appear to be responsible therefor, except in the cases determined in section two of this Act.
SECTION 2. When two or more persons are charged with the commission of a certain crime, the competent court; at any time before they have entered upon their defense, may direct any of them to be discharged, that he may be a witness for the Government when in the judgment of the court:
(a) There is absolute necessity for the testimony of the accused whose discharge is requested;
(b) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the crime committed, except the testimony of said accused;
(c) The testimony of said accused can be substantially corroborated in its material points;
(d) Said accused does not appear to be the most guilty; and
(e) Said accused has not at any time been convicted of the crime of perjury or false testimony or of any other crime involving moral turpitude.
SECTION 3. All Acts or parts of Acts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on its approval.
Effective, March 11, 1917.
Cite This Law
An Act to Provide for The Prosecution of All Persons Who Appear to Be Liable for A Crime and to Establish Conditions for The Discharge of Certain Accused Persons to Be Used As Government Witnesses, Act No. 2709, Mar 11, 1917 (Philippines)
An Act to Provide for The Prosecution of All Persons Who Appear to Be Liable for A Crime and to Establish Conditions for The Discharge of Certain Accused Persons to Be Used As Government Witnesses, Act No. 2709 (Phil. 1917)
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