告訴(こくそ)

こくそ
noun, suru verb
accusation; criminal complaint; pressing charges
1. accusation; criminal complaint; pressing charges
formally filing a criminal complaint with prosecutors or police by the victim of a crime
被害者(ひがいしゃ)が告訴(こくそ)した。
The victim pressed charges.
詐欺(さぎ)罪(ざい)で告訴(こくそ)する。
To file charges for fraud.
告訴(こくそ)を取(と)り下(さ)げることにした。
They decided to drop the charges.
名誉毀損(めいよきそん)で告訴(こくそ)される可能性(かのうせい)がある。
There is a possibility of being charged with defamation.

告訴(こくそ) is a legal term referring to the formal act of a crime victim filing a criminal complaint with authorities.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 告(こく) (announce, tell, accuse)
  • 訴(そ) (sue, complain, accuse)

USAGE:

  • 告訴(こくそ)する (to press charges, to file a complaint - suru verb)
  • 告訴(こくそ)を取(と)り下(さ)げる (to drop charges)
  • 告訴(こくそ)状(じょう) (written complaint)

LEGAL DISTINCTION:

  • 告訴(こくそ): filed by the VICTIM of the crime
  • 告発(こくはつ): filed by a THIRD PARTY (anyone, not necessarily the victim)
  • This distinction is important in Japanese criminal law

KEY CONCEPTS:

  • 親告罪(しんこくざい) (crimes prosecutable only upon complaint) - some crimes require the victim's 告訴(こくそ) to prosecute
  • 告訴(こくそ)権(けん) (right to file charges)
  • 告訴(こくそ)期間(きかん) (period for filing charges)

COMMON CHARGES:

  • 詐欺(さぎ)で告訴(こくそ)する (to charge with fraud)
  • 名誉毀損(めいよきそん)で告訴(こくそ)する (to charge with defamation)
  • 窃盗(せっとう)で告訴(こくそ)する (to charge with theft)

RELATED TERMS:

  • 告発(こくはつ) (accusation by third party)
  • 起訴(きそ) (indictment, prosecution)
  • 被害届(ひがいとどけ) (damage report to police)
  • 訴訟(そしょう) (lawsuit, litigation)
general
Added 2026.1.25 8:46 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
08000/08010_kokuso