Practice question
An absent defense lawyer submits a hospital record explaining an emergency. Under Rule 118, Section 3, may the court simply assume that offering an excuse is prohibited?
- Yes, medical explanations are categorically forbidden.
- Yes, every absence has one automatic fixed sanction.
- No; it must assess whether the excuse is acceptable.
- Yes, the accused must plead guilty to submit the record.
- Yes, only the opposing lawyer may decide conclusively.
Legal references
- Rules of Court, Rules 115-116 and 118-119, specifically the provisions discussed: https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_110-127_crim.html
- A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC, April 25, 2017, Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases, Part III, items 8(b), 8(f) and 9 (primary text reproduced by WIPO Lex): https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/20516
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