Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

Re: Indicment Vs Complaint

Often this is done because all of the facts surrounding an event are known. There does not have to be a grand jury convened to investigate the event. Also, the Feds use a complaint to make sure that the suspect cannot be released, i.e., they can request that the actor be detained or given a high bond.

In ongoing investigations, complaints are often used on cooperating defendants so that the Government can avoid having grand jury testimony available to the eventual target prior to trial.

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