Practice question
An accused with little schooling faces a Section3 plea inquiry. The court asks only whether counsel signed the form and whether the accused wants a quick case. It never examines custody, understanding, penalties or the offense’s elements. Does the form alone satisfy Pagal?
- No; a substantive searching inquiry into voluntariness and understanding is required
- Yes; any signed form conclusively substitutes for the inquiry
- Yes; speed replaces comprehension
- Yes; limited schooling eliminates the safeguard
- Yes; only the prosecutor may ask questions
Legal references
- Rules of Court, Rule116 Sections1,3–9: https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_110-127_crim.html
- People v Pagal, GR241257, September29,2020, EN BANC MAIN opinion, searching-inquiry guidelines: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2020/sep2020/gr_241257_2020.html
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