pretrial detention
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pretrial detention
The detention of a person suspected of a crime for the duration of the investigation and before a court conviction. It is a measure used to secure criminal proceedings.
Der Verdächtige wurde wegen Fluchtgefahr in Untersuchungshaft genommen.
The suspect was placed in pretrial detention due to the risk of flight.
The word is made up of 'Untersuchung' (investigation) and 'Haft' (detention/custody). So it literally describes detention during a police or judicial investigation.
Die Untersuchungshaft soll verhindern, dass der Verdächtige flieht.
Pretrial detention is intended to prevent the suspect from fleeing.
'Untersuchungshaft' (pretrial detention) is a term from legal language. You mainly find it in news reports, newspaper articles, and legal contexts.
Sein Anwalt legte Beschwerde gegen die Untersuchungshaft ein.
His lawyer filed an appeal against the pretrial detention.
The preposition 'in' is central here. A state is expressed with the dative ('in Untersuchungshaft sitzen' (to be in pretrial detention)), while movement or the beginning of the state is expressed with the accusative ('in Untersuchungshaft kommen' (to be placed in pretrial detention)).
Der Angeklagte sitzt seit drei Monaten in Untersuchungshaft.
The defendant has been in pretrial detention for three months.
In connection with 'Untersuchungshaft' (pretrial detention), the verbs 'sitzen' (to sit/be held), 'sein' (to be), 'nehmen' (to take/place), and 'kommen' (to come/be placed) are often used. A judge can also 'anordnen' (order) pretrial detention.
Der Richter hat Untersuchungshaft für den Hauptverdächtigen angeordnet.
The judge ordered pretrial detention for the main suspect.
police custody
Both words describe holding a person who has not yet been convicted. Untersuchungshaft is ordered by a judge during investigations in criminal proceedings, while Polizeigewahrsam is usually a short-term measure taken by the police. When the purpose is to secure criminal proceedings, use „Untersuchungshaft“; for an immediate police measure, use „Polizeigewahrsam“.
Der Richter ordnete wegen der laufenden Ermittlungen Untersuchungshaft an.
Because the investigation was ongoing, the judge ordered pretrial detention.
Nach dem Vorfall kam der Mann zur Feststellung seiner Identität in Polizeigewahrsam.
After the incident, the man was taken into police custody to establish his identity.
