U.S. Code > Appendix to Title 18 > FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE— (§§ Rule_1—Rule_61) > TITLE II. PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS— (§§ Rule_3—Rule_5.1) > Rule 3. The Complaint

Rule 3. The Complaint

The complaint is a written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. It must be made under oath before a magistrate judge or, if none is reasonably available, before a state or local judicial officer.