Rule 22.02 Felonies - Complaint

When someone is charged with a felony in Missouri, the charge has to start with a written document called a complaint. This rule spells out exactly what that document must include before a case can move forward.

The complaint has to name the court handling the case and identify the defendant, either by their real name or by a description good enough to know who they are. It must lay out the specific facts that show a felony happened, along with the date and place where it occurred, described as clearly as possible. This gives the defendant a clear picture of what they're being accused of and when and where it supposedly happened.

The complaint also needs backup proof. It must include a statement of probable cause, which is the evidence or reasoning showing there's a real basis for the charge. Finally, the prosecuting attorney has to sign the complaint, confirming they believe based on the available information that the crime actually took place. Without these pieces, the complaint doesn't meet the legal requirements to start a felony case.