Grave felonies, less grave felonies, light felonies, A7, A9 Revised Penal Code

1. Concept

Grave felonies, less grave felonies, light felonies – refer to the gravity or seriousness of the felonies or crimes as reflected in the extent of the penalty that is imposed.

a. Legal basis

Art. 9. Grave felonies, less grave felonies and light felonies. - Grave felonies are those to which the law attaches the capital punishment or penalties which in any of their periods are afflictive, in accordance with Article 25 of this Code.

Less gave felonies are those which the law punishes with penalties which in their maximum period are correctional in accordance with abovementioned article.

Light felonies are those infractions of law or the commission of which the penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) or both is provided. (As amended by R.A. 10951)

(Revised Penal Code)

2. Grave felonies

Grave felonies are those to which the law attaches the capital punishment or penalties which in any of their periods are afflictive, in accordance with Article 25 of this Code. (REVISED PENAL CODE, Article 9, as amended by R.A. 10951)

a. Capital punishment

The capital punishment is the death penalty. (REVISED PENAL CODE, Article 25)

However, R.A. 9346 (2006) prohibited the imposition of the death penalty, resulting in the repeal of previous laws allowing the death penalty to be imposed.

Per R.A. 9346, the following shall be imposed in lieu of the death penalty:

SEC. 2. In lieu of the death penalty, the followi...