Rule 3. The Complaint
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Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure > Rule 3
This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.
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The complaint is a written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Except as provided in Rule 4.1, it must be made under oath before a magistrate judge or, if none is reasonably available, before a state or local judicial officer.
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