Criminal complaint

In Swiss law, some offences are prosecuted only if the injured person or another entitled person files a criminal complaint within the applicable time limit. The complaint expresses the will that the authorities investigate and prosecute the offence; it differs from a mere report, which only informs the authorities. Once validly filed, the matter is handled by the criminal justice authorities. Withdrawal may be possible for complaint offences, subject to procedural limits and the legal consequences for co-participants.