Fed. R. Crim. P. 3

The Complaint

The complaint is a written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Except as provided in Rule 4.1, it must be made under oath before a magistrate judge or, if none is reasonably available, before a state or local judicial officer.

(As amended Apr. 24, 1972 , eff. Oct. 1, 1972 ; Apr. 22, 1993 , eff. Dec. 1, 1993 ; Apr. 29, 2002 , eff. Dec. 1, 2002 ; Apr. 26, 2011 , eff. Dec. 1, 2011 .)