Rule 3. The Complaint
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District of Columbia Court Rules › Criminal Division › Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure › Super. Ct. Crim. R. 3
Text
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 judge or
magistrate judge or any employee of the Superior Court authorized by the Chief Judge
to administer oaths.
COMMENT TO 2017 AMENDMENTS
This rule has been amended consistent with the 2011 amendments to the federal
rule. It refers to new Rule 4.1 (Complaint, Warrant, or Summons by Telephone or Other
Reliable Electronic Means), permitting complaints to be sought and approved by reliable
electronic means.
COMMENT TO 2016 AMENDMENTS
This rule has been redrafted to conform to the general restyling of the federal rules in
2002. It differs from the federal rule by substituting the term “judge or magistrate judge”
for the term “magistrate judge” and by retaining the local provision that permits any
authorized employee of the Superior Court to administer oaths.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.