The complaint must begin with the phrase 'In the name and by the authority of the State of Texas'.

The complaint must begin with the phrase 'In the name and by the authority of the State of Texas'.

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

Answer: (B)

The opening line signals that the charging document is brought by the state itself. In Texas, official criminal documents like complaints are issued in the name and by the authority of the State of Texas, so beginning with that exact phrase shows the state’s authority and the court’s jurisdiction over the matter. That formal invocation is a standard, expected part of the structure of a complaint, ensuring the document is properly framed as a state action. Because of this established practice, the statement is true. The other options would imply there’s no required opening formula or no state authority behind the action, which conflicts with how Texas criminal procedure is designed.

The opening line signals that the charging document is brought by the state itself. In Texas, official criminal documents like complaints are issued in the name and by the authority of the State of Texas, so beginning with that exact phrase shows the state’s authority and the court’s jurisdiction over the matter. That formal invocation is a standard, expected part of the structure of a complaint, ensuring the document is properly framed as a state action. Because of this established practice, the statement is true. The other options would imply there’s no required opening formula or no state authority behind the action, which conflicts with how Texas criminal procedure is designed.