What is the purpose of a criminal complaint?

The purpose of a criminal complaint is to begin the legal process of charging someone with a crime. In Michigan, this usually takes the form of a written statement that is sworn under oath and submitted to a court. The complaint must contain enough specific information to determine that a crime has been committed and that the defendant is responsible for it. The complaint also must name or describe the accused person and list the offense they are being charged with. A criminal complaint also serves as the basis for a summons or an arrest warrant. If the accused person is charged with a crime, the court will issue a summons or an arrest warrant, which orders them to appear before a judge to answer the charges. If necessary, the police can also use the complaint to make an arrest. In Michigan, the district attorney is responsible for drafting the criminal complaint. This complaint must include evidence of the crime that has been committed, such as testimonies from witnesses or medical reports. After the criminal complaint is submitted to the court, a judge will review the complaint to determine whether or not to issue a warrant, a summons, or dismiss the case.

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What is the purpose of a criminal complaint?

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