A criminal complaint is a formal document filed by an individual or law enforcement agency alleging that a crime has been committed against a victim. In legal terms, a criminal complaint is also referred to as an accusation, indictment, or charge. The term "criminal information" is also used in some jurisdictions to describe a written statement of the charges against a defendant. Additionally, a "criminal summons" may be issued to require a defendant to appear in court to answer to the charges in the criminal complaint. Overall, there are several terms used interchangeably with "criminal complaint" within the legal system, depending on the specific circumstances and jurisdiction.