Which term is the formal charge document used by law enforcement before any grand jury action?

• A. Capital Felony
• B. Class A Misdemeanor
• C. Criminal Complaint
• D. Sealed Indictment

Answer: (C)

A criminal complaint is the formal charge document used to start criminal proceedings before any grand jury action. It’s filed by law enforcement or a prosecutor when there is probable cause that a crime occurred, and it identifies the accused, outlines the alleged offense, and summarizes the essential facts. This document can warrant an arrest or set the stage for the next steps in the process. It differs from an indictment, which is issued by a grand jury after reviewing the evidence, and from a sealed indictment, which is the grand jury’s formal charge kept sealed until later. The other terms describe types of offenses, not charging documents.