2.02 Complaint

Here's a plain English summary:

A complaint is the document that starts a criminal case. It has to lay out the basic facts about what the person is accused of doing wrong. This isn't a long, detailed legal argument, just enough facts to explain the charge.

The person making the complaint has to sign it and swear that it's true. This has to happen in front of someone with the legal authority to accept sworn statements. Usually that's a judge, but it can also be another authorized person, like a court clerk, as long as a judge in that county has given them written permission to accept these oaths.

This rule matters because it makes sure criminal charges don't get filed casually or without any proof behind them. Someone has to put their word on the line, under oath, before the case can move forward.