Criminal jurisdiction is the authority to hear and try a particular offense and impose the punishment for it.
In People of the Philippines vs Mariano (71 SCRA 660), it is defined as the authority to hear and decide a particular offense and impose the corresponding punishment for it.
In Lumpay vs Moscoso (105 Phil 568), it was stated that this kind of jurisdiction is vested in the court and not in the judge. In multiple sala or branch courts, each sala or branch is not a distinct and separate court from the others. So that where a case is filed before a branch or judge thereof, the trial may be had or proceedings may continue before another branch or judge.
