Complaint
The legal document filed to start a lawsuit, laying out the plaintiff's claims against the defendant.
A complaint is the first document filed in a lawsuit. It identifies who is suing (the plaintiff), who is being sued (the defendant), and explains what the plaintiff claims the defendant did wrong. The complaint also states what the plaintiff is asking the court to do about it, such as awarding money damages.
In a criminal case, a complaint serves a similar function – it is the document filed by the prosecutor that describes the alleged crime and the facts supporting the charges.
Why it matters: The complaint defines what the case is about. Once you receive a complaint, you have a deadline to respond. In Minnesota civil cases, this is typically 20 days. Ignoring a complaint can result in a default judgment against you.
Example: After a car accident, the injured driver files a complaint against the other driver, stating that the other driver ran a red light and caused injuries, and asking for $25,000 in damages.
The beginning of any civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution