Shaira Jean T.

Sollano
Criminal Procedure - Block C
September 18, 2023

A. Arraignment

On September 1, 2023, we had our initial courtroom observation experience at

Regional Trial Court Branch 24, presided over by the Honorable Anna Candida N.
Casiño. The first legal procedure we witnessed was the arraignment, and the case in
question pertained to violations of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The accused individuals were dressed
in yellow shirts with "PDL" prints and were accompanied by officers from the Bureau of
Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as well as their legal representatives. For those
accused who didn't have their own counsel, they were given the choice to either hire a
private attorney or opt for a public defender.

During the arraignment process, the accused were informed of the specific
charges against them, and they had the opportunity to enter a plea of either guilty or not
guilty. To ensure complete comprehension, the charges were initially presented in
English and then translated into Bisaya for the benefit of the accused. The information
provided included details about the quantity of drugs seized, the number of drug
packets involved, the date of the incident, and the location where it occurred. Following
the arraignment, the judge inquired about the availability of the lawyers and the
prosecutor in order to schedule the date for the subsequent phase of the legal
proceedings, which is the trial.

After the arraignment concluded, we sought permission from the judge to exit the
courtroom, allowing the next group of students to enter and observe the proceedings.

B. Pre-Trial

After the arraignment, in the same court, pre-trial followed. The accused,
together with their counsel and the prosecutor set a date for the trial. The number of
witnesses was also recorded and the presiding judge mentioned in issuing a subpoena
for the witnesses. After that, the counsel and the prosecutor asked for permission to
leave the court and the BJMP accompanied the accused back to the prison.

C. Trial
 On September 19, 2023, a drug-related case was heard in the courtroom of Hon.
Anna Candida N. Casiño. The accused, who was caught during a buy-bust operation,
pleaded not guilty to possession of illegal drugs but guilty to illegal possession of
firearms.

Present in the courtroom were the prosecutor, the accused's counsel, BJMP
personnel, and a witness, a police officer who conducted the buy-bust operation.

The proceedings began with the clerk of court reading the title of the case and
recognizing the prosecutor and the accused's counsel. The witness was then called to
the stand and sworn in. The public prosecutor direct examined the witness, asking
questions about the buy-bust operation. The witness described the events from
planning the operation to turning over the confiscated items to the laboratory. He was
also able to identify the accused in the courtroom.

The public prosecutor then requested the confiscated items and other evidence,
which had been deposited in the court for verification. However, the clerk of court in
charge of the safe was absent due to an emergency. As a result, the presiding judge set
another trial date to verify the evidence. The cross-examination and verification of
evidence were set for the same date and venue.

After the trial, permission was asked to leave the courtroom.