What is the purpose of a criminal complaint?

A criminal complaint is an official document that starts the criminal process. It acts as an allegation that a person has committed a crime. The document includes details such as the names of the people involved, the time and place of the alleged crime, and a brief description of the crime. In Indiana, a criminal complaint is typically filed by a prosecuting attorney or police officer. The purpose of the criminal complaint is to officially notify the accused of the charges against them. This also allows the court to set a date for the accused to appear before a judge and enter a plea. It is also used to start the process of establishing probable cause, which is required to proceed with an arrest or search warrant. In other words, the criminal complaint is the beginning of the criminal justice process. It is used to formally accuse someone of a crime and allow the court to conduct proceedings. It is an important step in the criminal process and serves to protect the rights of both the accused and the victim.

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What is the purpose of a criminal complaint?

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