What Is a Criminal Complaint in Massachusetts?

What Is a Criminal Complaint in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, most criminal cases start not with an arrest—but with a complaint.

A criminal complaint is a formal document issued by a clerk magistrate or judge that accuses someone of committing a crime. It triggers the court process, leading to an arraignment, and appears on your criminal record.

Complaints are typically issued after:
- A police report is filed, and an officer applies for charges.
- A civilian goes to court and swears out a complaint.
- A clerk magistrate hearing determines that probable cause exists.

If you’re notified about a potential complaint, you may have a chance to appear at a clerk magistrate hearing. That’s your opportunity to stop the complaint before it ever issues.