take (something) out against (one)

To file a legal complaint, affidavit, or warrant alleging or supporting a claim that one has committed some crime. I know that he is breaking the law, but I'm too nervous to go to the police station and take an affidavit out against him. The woman took a complaint out against her ex-husband, claiming that he had violated the terms of his restraining order. The police took a warrant out against the CFO after evidence of his embezzlement emerged.