Practice question
An accused is arraigned, duly notified and unjustifiably absent, so trial lawfully proceeds. The prosecution then rests without proving a necessary element and asks conviction solely because the accused fled. Which is best?
- Flight automatically proves every statutory element
- The missing element cannot be supplied by absence alone
- Trial in absentia is a civil default judgment
- The court must disregard all prosecution evidence
- The accused’s absence automatically voids the permitted trial
Legal references
- Constitution ArticleIII Section14(2): https://lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.html
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