Complaint Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Complaint.

Complaint (noun): The initial legal document that launches court proceedings. It is prepared by the complainant (the person accusing of an offense) and officially filed with the court. It must clearly outline the allegations, provide any evidence of the supposed crime, and explain the legal basis for the case. When creating a complaint, certain legal rules and principles must be kept in mind to ensure it is valid and legally sound.