Practice question
An accused is charged with a graver offense whose allegations include every element of a lesser offense. The court finds all lesser-offense elements proved beyond reasonable doubt but a distinct additional element of the graver offense unproved. One party demands conviction of the greater offense; the other demands acquittal merely because the charge was greater. Which is correct?
- Convict of the graver offense despite the missing element
- Acquit solely because the information named the greater offense
- Permit conviction of any unrelated offense
- Convict of the necessarily included lesser offense proved, subject to the stated inclusion and evidentiary requirements
- Let the parties decide the judgment by agreement
Legal references
- https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_110-127_crim.html — Rules 120 §§4–6, 121 §§1–6, 122 §§1–3,6,11, and 126 §§1,3–5; read appellate periods with Rodriguez and current appellate routes.
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2025/may2025/gr_239523_2025.html — Satuito v. People, G.R. Nos. 239523-33 et al., May 19, 2025, MAIN decision, Part IV (variance and included offenses).
- https://lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.html — 1987 Constitution, Article III §§12 and 14 (custodial safeguards and right to be informed of the accusation).
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