CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

A. GENERAL MATTERS

1. Distinguish jurisdiction over subject matter from jurisdiction over

the person of the accused
 Jurisdiction over the subject matter refers to the authority of
the court to hear and determine a particular criminal case.
 Jurisdiction over the person of the accused refers to the
authority of the court, not over the subject matter of the
criminal litigation but over the person charged. This kind of
jurisdiction requires that the person charged with the offense
must have been brought into the forum for trial, forcibly by
warrant of arrest or upon his voluntary submission to the
court.

 Jurisdiction over the territory; venue in criminal cases

- Venue is jurisdictional and a court is bereft of jurisdiction

to try an offense committed outside its limited territory.
- The place where the crime was committed determines not
only the venue of the action but the essential element of
jurisdiction.

2. Requisites for exercise of criminal jurisdiction