Art. 1528 Method of instituting prosecution

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

When the state wants to bring criminal charges against a case in juvenile court, prosecutors have three ways to officially start the case: an affidavit, an information, or an indictment. These are all just different types of formal written documents that lay out the charges against someone.

An affidavit is a sworn written statement, usually signed by a witness or victim, that describes what happened. An information is a formal charging document that a prosecutor writes up and files themselves, without needing a grand jury. An indictment is a formal charging document that comes from a grand jury, which is a group of citizens who review evidence and decide if there's enough reason to bring charges.

This rule matters because it sets the ground rules for how a case can legally begin in juvenile court. If none of these three methods are used, the case may not be properly started, which could affect whether the charges can move forward.