A complaint must begin with the words 'In the name and by the authority of the State of Texas'.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It may begin with alternative phrases
• D. Only for state charges

Answer: (A)

In this context, a Texas criminal charging document must begin with the exact phrase “In the name and by the authority of the State of Texas.” This opening explicitly ties the action to the State, signaling that the complaint is an official act of the state and that the court has jurisdiction to act on it. The phrase reflects the formal authority behind the charge and helps ensure the document is recognized as a legitimate instrument filed by the state, rather than a private or informal accusation. If the document tried to start with something else, it could be treated as defective or improperly framed, which can affect the validity of subsequent proceedings. So the statement is true.