Final answer:
Special penal laws are laws that amend or modify the provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). They can introduce new offenses, modify punishments, or establish specific procedures for certain crimes. When special laws amend the provisions of the RPC, they take precedence over the existing provisions of the code.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special penal laws are laws that amend or modify the provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in a specific and unique manner. These special laws usually focus on particular types of crimes or issues that require separate legislation. They can introduce new offenses, modify punishments, or establish specific procedures for certain crimes.
For example, the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was a special penal law that added new penalties and funding for aggressive law enforcement. It expanded the number of crimes punishable by death, enacted an assault weapons ban, and established the Violence Against Women Act.
In terms of the specific amendment of provisions, when special penal laws amend the provisions of the RPC, they overwrite or modify the existing provisions of the code. This means that the special law will take precedence over the provisions of the RPC in cases that fall under its scope. It is important to understand and apply the specific provisions of both the RPC and any relevant special penal laws in order to accurately interpret and enforce the law.