US vs. SWEET GR No.

448 9/20/1901 Justice Ladd Facts: Sweet was employed by the United States military who committed an offense against a POW. His case is filed with the Court of First Instance (CFI), who is given original jurisdiction in all criminal cases for which a penalty of more than 6 months is imposed. He is now contending that the courts are without jurisdiction because he was acting in the line of duty. Issues Whether or not the military character sustained by the person charged with the offence at the time of its commission exempts him from the ordinary jurisdiction of the civil tribunals? Held No. Ratio The application of the general principle that the jurisdiction of the civil tribunals is unaffected by the military or other special character brought before them for trial (R.A. No. 7055). Appellant claims that the act was service connected. If this were true, it may be used as a defense but this cannot affect the right of the Civil Court to takes jurisdiction of the case.