La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 382 : —CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDUREINSTITUTING CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS — Methods of instituting criminal prosecutions TEXT PDF A. A prosecution for an offense punishable by death, or for an offense punishable by life imprisonment, shall be instituted by indictment by a grand jury. Other criminal prosecutions in a district court shall be instituted by indictment or by information. B. (1) A prosecution for violation of an ordinance and other criminal prosecutions in a parish court shall be instituted by affidavit or information charging any offense. (2) A prosecution for violation of an ordinance and other criminal prosecutions in a city court shall be instituted by affidavit or information charging any offense supported by an affidavit. (3) Criminal prosecutions in a juvenile court or family court shall be instituted by affidavit, information, or indictment. La. Cr.P. § 382 Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess. No. 19, §1, eff. 1/1/1975; Acts 1989, No. 8, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 83, §1.