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.
custody / imprisonment
'die Haft' and 'die Untersuchungshaft' can both mean that a person is not free and is being held by the justice system. 'Haft' is the more general word. It can mean imprisonment as a sentence, but also a situation before a verdict. 'Untersuchungshaft' is more specific: it applies during investigations and before a conviction, when someone is suspected of a crime. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases you say that someone is 'in Haft' (in custody). If you specifically mean the time before the trial, 'Untersuchungshaft' (pretrial detention) is more precise.
Der Verdächtige kommt in Untersuchungshaft, weil die Polizei noch ermittelt.
The suspect is placed in pretrial detention because the police are still investigating.
Nach dem Urteil muss der Täter mehrere Jahre in Haft.
After the verdict, the offender has to spend several years in prison.