Which statement is true about accepting a felony complaint?

• A. Municipal judges, acting as magistrates, may accept a complaint (probable cause affidavit) for a felony.
• B. Only a prosecutor can request the dismissal.
• C. The clerk may dismiss a case by license renewal.
• D. Presiding judges administer oath to the complaint.

Answer: (A)

Accepting a felony complaint is about who has authority to take the charging document and determine probable cause. In many jurisdictions, a municipal judge serving as a magistrate is empowered to accept the complaint, i.e., the probable cause affidavit, for a felony. This step establishes probable cause and triggers the next actions in the case, such as issuing warrants or moving toward arraignment.

The other statements don’t fit how these processes typically work: a prosecutor initiates charges but does not take the complaint as the accepting official; the clerk does not dismiss a case merely by license renewal; and the oath to the complaint is administered by the magistrate taking the complaint, not necessarily by the presiding judge.