The commencement of prosecution begins with:

The correct answer revolves around the formal initiation of legal proceedings against an individual accused of a crime. The commencement of prosecution is marked by either an indictment or the securing of a warrant, which are critical legal steps.

An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, typically issued by a grand jury after examining evidence presented by a prosecutor. It signifies that there is sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against an individual.

On the other hand, securing a warrant, often referred to as an arrest or search warrant, authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual or conduct a search based on probable cause. This legal action is essential for moving forward in the prosecution process.

In contrast, issuing a citation does not initiate prosecution in the same way; it typically serves as a notice to appear in court for minor offenses. A criminal complaint is a more preliminary document that can lead to prosecution but is not the formal commencement. Filing an appeal occurs after a conviction, making it unrelated to the initial stages of prosecution.

Thus, it is specifically the indictment or warrant that represents the formal start of criminal proceedings, establishing the framework for prosecution to continue and ultimately lead to trial.