Pretrial Detention
/ˈpriːˌtreɪəl dɪˈtɛnʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) The practice of detaining a criminal defendant in jail before trial, without release on bail or other conditions.
The defendant remains in pretrial detention pending the outcome of the court proceedings.
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Pretrial detention is distinct from post-conviction incarceration and should be clearly distinguished in legal drafting to avoid confusion with sentencing terms.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.