# Super. Ct. Crim. R. 3: Rule 3. The Complaint

> District of Columbia · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R3

## Section

- **Citation:** Super. Ct. Crim. R. 3
- **Heading:** Rule 3. The Complaint
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** 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.

## Nearby sections

- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 1 Rule 1. Scope; Authority of the Chief Judge; Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 2 Rule 2. Interpretation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R2.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 3 Rule 3. The Complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R3.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 4 Rule 4. Arrest Warrant or Summons on a Complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R4.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 4-I Rule 4-I. Use of Summons When Reprosecuting Offense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R4_I.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 4.1 Rule 4.1. Complaint, Warrant, or Summons by Telephone or Other Reliable Electronic Means](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R4_1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 5 Rule 5. Initial Appearance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R5.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 5-I Rule 5-I. [Deleted]](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R5_I.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 5.1 Rule 5.1. Preliminary Hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R5_1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 6 Rule 6. The Grand Jury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R6.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 7 Rule 7. The Indictment and the Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R7.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 8 Rule 8. Joinder of Offenses and of Defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R8.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 9 Rule 9. Arrest Warrant or Summons on an Indictment or Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R9.md)
- [Super. Ct. Crim. R. 10 Rule 10. Arraignment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCRIM_R3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.