criminal complaint
[/ˈkrɪmɪnəl kəmˈpleɪnt/]
nounpl: criminal complaints
queixa-crime
1. A formal written accusation filed by a person or law enforcement officer charging someone with committing a crime
The victim filed a criminal complaint against the suspect at the police station.
A vítima apresentou uma queixa-crime contra o suspeito na delegacia de polícia.
2. The initial document in a criminal proceeding that sets forth the allegations and probable cause for arrest
The judge reviewed the criminal complaint to determine if there was sufficient probable cause for an arrest warrant.
O juiz analisou a queixa-crime para determinar se havia causa provável suficiente para um mandado de prisão.
3. In some jurisdictions, a less formal charging document compared to an indictment or information
A criminal complaint was issued, but the case would require a grand jury indictment to proceed to trial.
Uma queixa-crime foi emitida, mas o caso exigiria uma acusação do tribunal do júri para prosseguir a julgamento.
In Brazil, a criminal complaint (queixa-crime) is a formal legal document that initiates criminal proceedings. It can be filed by the victim or law enforcement and must be presented to a judge or the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público). The distinction between 'queixa-crime' and 'denúncia' is important: the former is typically filed by a private party, while the latter is the formal charge by the prosecutor. In the U.S. legal system, a criminal complaint is often the first step in the criminal justice process and can lead to an arrest warrant before formal charges are filed through indictment or information.
Related Idioms & Phrases
file a criminal complaint
lodge a criminal complaint
issue a criminal complaint
press charges
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