Iowa legal term
Complaint in Iowa Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
In Iowa criminal law, “Complaint” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Iowa criminal code.
What does “Complaint” mean in Iowa criminal law?
“Complaint” means a statement in writing, under oath or affirmation, made before a magistrate or district court clerk or clerk’s designee as the case may be, of the commission of a public offense, and accusing someone of committing the public offense. (Iowa Code § 801.4)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.