Criminal Procedure: Jurisdiction in Criminal Cases | Which Court Can Try You? (15 Cases)

Before we go Rule by Rule from Rule 110 to Rule 127, we need to understand the foundations of Criminal Procedure. What is criminal procedure, and why is it essential to due process? What gives a court the authority to try a criminal case? And which court has jurisdiction over a particular offense? This opening explainer in our Criminal Procedure series covers the basic principles of criminal jurisdiction, the three requisites for a court to validly try a criminal case, and the allocation of jurisdiction among the MTC, RTC, Family Courts, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals. We also examine the rule that jurisdiction is determined by the allegations in the Information and the recognized exceptions that allow courts to enjoin criminal prosecutions. Designed for Philippine law students and Bar Exam reviewees, this video combines foundational doctrines with 15 case discussions to help you understand the rules and apply them to legal problems. 📚 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • Foundations of Criminal Procedure – Its meaning, purpose, and relationship with due process • Jurisdiction in Criminal Cases – The legal authority of courts to hear and decide criminal cases • The Three Requisites of Criminal Jurisdiction – Jurisdiction over the subject matter, the territory, and the person of the accused • Which Court Tries What? – The jurisdiction of the MTC, RTC, Family Courts, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals, including the RA 10660 jurisdictional filter for the Sandiganbayan • Jurisdiction and the Information – Why the allegations in the Information generally determine the court's jurisdiction • Injunctions Against Criminal Prosecution – The recognized exceptions to the general rule against restraining criminal proceedings • Bar Exam Review – Key doctrines, landmark rulings, and practical points to remember ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 Cold Open 0:34 Introduction 1:20 1. Foundations 3:05 Case 1: Alonte v. Savellano, Jr. 4:59 2. Jurisdiction in General 6:41 Case 2: De Lima v. Guerrero 8:59 Case 3: People v. Mendez (2023) 10:38 3. Requisites of Criminal Jurisdiction 12:08 Case 4: People v. Go 14:18 Case 5: Miranda v. Tuliao 15:53 Case 6: David v. Agbay 17:11 Case 7: Vallacar Transit, Inc. v. Yanson, Jr. (2025) 20:06 Case 8: AAA v. BBB 21:58 4. Which Court Tries What? 23:17 Case 9: Guevarra v. Almodovar 28:48 Case 10: Crisostomo v. Sandiganbayan 30:11 Case 11: Soller v. Sandiganbayan 31:28 Case 12: Serana v. Sandiganbayan 35:52 Case 13: Gonzales v. Abaya 37:18 5. Allegations and Injunctions 37:21 Case 14: People v. Ocaya 40:26 Case 15: Borlongan, Jr. v. Peña 41:59 6. Bar Exam Tips & Recap ⚖️ 15 CASES DISCUSSED Alonte v. Savellano, Jr. De Lima v. Guerrero People v. Mendez (2023) People v. Go Miranda v. Tuliao David v. Agbay Vallacar Transit, Inc. v. Yanson, Jr. (2025) AAA v. BBB Guevarra v. Almodovar Crisostomo v. Sandiganbayan Soller v. Sandiganbayan Serana v. Sandiganbayan Gonzales v. Abaya People v. Ocaya Borlongan, Jr. v. Peña 📌 STATUS OF THE RULES As of the recording of this video, the Supreme Court's revision of the Rules of Criminal Procedure had not yet been promulgated. The 2000 Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, as amended, therefore remain the governing rules discussed in this explainer. The 2024 DOJ-NPS rules on preliminary investigations (DOJ Department Circular No. 015, s. 2024), recognized in A.M. No. 24-02-09-SC, are discussed separately in our Rule 112 explainer. Always verify the current rules, relevant amendments, and full text of the Supreme Court decisions when preparing for class recitations, examinations, and the Bar. 📝 HELP US BUILD THE SERIES If this video helped you, like, subscribe, and share it with a blockmate. Tell us in the comments: Which Rule of Criminal Procedure would you like us to explain next? This video is for educational and Bar Exam review purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the full text of the applicable rules and cases. #PhilippineLaw #CriminalProcedure #BarExam #LawSchool #LexplainersPH