The date of the offense in a complaint must be alleged with absolute precision.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never required

Answer: (A)

The date of the offense in a complaint does not have to be alleged with absolute precision. A charging document must give enough information to identify the offense and to allow the defendant to prepare a defense, but exact pinpointing of the day isn’t always required. You can use language like “on or about” a specific date, a date range, or a period for continuous offenses. This ensures the charge provides reasonable notice without binding you to a perfect, single-day timestamp. If the exact date later becomes known, the document can be clarified or amended, but the essential requirement is sufficient notice to the defendant, not perfect date precision.