To conceal or to reveal: A study on exemptions of accessories from criminal liability

• Main Authors: Amante, Calbert Dustin L., Sietereales, Aizelle Marc B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2014
• Subjects: Accomplices > Legal status, laws, etc > Philippines
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6107
• Institution: De La Salle University

Accessories to crimes still commit such act. An accessory should still be punishable under our law even if he is related to the principal or not. It does not change the fact that there has been a crime committed. But why do we exempt those family members from criminal liability? There is an existing complication between familial relationships and social responsibilities being portrayed in this study. Having to choose between family loyalty and social justice weighs a heavy burden to almost everyone. Thus, this study would be focusing also on the normative costs of allowing the exemption of family members from criminal liability. This thesis also aims to amend Article 20 of the Revised Penal Code on accessories who are exempted from criminal liability for the following reasons: 1. We believe that Article 20 of the Revised Penal Code violates the Equal Protection Clause 2 It raises fundamental oddity and unwarranted disparity 3. Inaccuracy in the criminal justice system will prevail 4. It might incentivize more crime.