The article examines the institution of petitions and complaints in criminal proceedings, with particular attention paid to the experience of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. A comparative analysis of regulatory and legal regulation was conducted, the distinctive features and prospects for improving legislation were identified. Particular attention is paid to the status of the institute of petitions and complaints, procedures for submitting, considering and resolving these procedural actions at the pre-trial and trial stages of criminal proceedings. Recommendations have been proposed to borrow successful practices from the legislation of Kazakhstan and Russia to strengthen the legal protection of participants in the criminal process in Uzbekistan.