Article 48Penalty for complex crimes

Act No. 3815 · Revised Penal CodeKey provision

ELI5— what this means for you

Complex crime: when a single act constitutes two or more offenses (compound crime), or when one offense is a necessary means to commit another (complex crime proper) — only the penalty for the most serious offense is imposed, but in its maximum period.

Key point

One act, two crimes = one penalty (the heavier one, at its maximum).

Official text — Act No. 3815

Penalty for complex crimes.

-When a single act constitutes two or more crimes, or when an offense is a necessary means for committing the other, the penalty for the most serious crime shall be imposed, the same to be applied in its maximum period.

Source: lawphil.net (Act No. 3815 as amended)

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Legal disclaimer: BatasKo provides general legal information, not legal advice. Criminal law has serious consequences — for advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed Filipino lawyer or the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) at pao.gov.ph.

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