Affiants for complaints can be citizens, peace officers, or both.

Affiants for complaints can be citizens, peace officers, or both.

• A. Not applicable
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Not stated

Answer: (B)

Affiants are the people who sign and swear to the facts in a complaint before a magistrate. The ability to be an affiant isn’t limited to police officers. A citizen with firsthand knowledge of the offense can swear out a complaint, and peace officers can do so as well. In many cases you’ll see both involved, or one or the other, depending on who has the information and takes the oath. The crucial point is the sworn statement of facts, not the signer’s job title. So affiants for complaints can be citizens, peace officers, or both.

Affiants are the people who sign and swear to the facts in a complaint before a magistrate. The ability to be an affiant isn’t limited to police officers. A citizen with firsthand knowledge of the offense can swear out a complaint, and peace officers can do so as well. In many cases you’ll see both involved, or one or the other, depending on who has the information and takes the oath. The crucial point is the sworn statement of facts, not the signer’s job title. So affiants for complaints can be citizens, peace officers, or both.