What is a complaint?

A complaint is a legal document that is used in civil procedure. In Maryland, it is the first step a person must take if they wish to initiate a lawsuit. The complaint is a written statement that outlines the details of a dispute and details the legal claims the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) is bringing against the defendant (the person being sued). The complaint will list the facts of the dispute, the legal claims the plaintiff is bringing, and the relief the plaintiff is requesting. Relief may include things such as monetary compensation or an order to take a certain action (like an injunction). The complaint should be written in simple language so that the defendant can clearly understand the allegations they are being accused of. At the end of the complaint, the plaintiff must sign and swear that the facts are true and correct. This document is then filed with the court and the defendant is served with a copy of the complaint. The defendant then has a certain amount of time to respond to the complaint. It’s important to remember that a complaint is not a verdict or finding of guilt. It’s simply the first step in the civil litigation process and is meant to start the process of resolving a dispute.

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What is a complaint?

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