§ 171 Complaint - Issuance of warrant of arrest.

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

When someone files a formal complaint saying a crime happened, they have to swear it's true. A judge (called a magistrate) then looks at the complaint to decide two things: did a crime actually happen, and is there good reason to believe the person named in the complaint is the one who did it.

If the judge answers yes to both questions, the law says the judge must issue an arrest warrant. This isn't optional once those conditions are met. The judge doesn't need proof beyond a reasonable doubt at this stage, just enough evidence to reasonably believe the person committed the crime.

This rule protects people from being arrested on flimsy accusations. It requires a sworn complaint and a judge's independent review before anyone can be taken into custody. This step happens early in a criminal case, often before charges are formally filed in court.