What is the use of detain?

Asked by: Miles Walter  |  Last update: May 19, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (50 votes)

detain | Intermediate English to force someone officially to stay in a place: A suspect is being detained by the police for further questioning. To detain someone is also to delay that person for a short period of time: We were detained in traffic and arrived at the theater a little late.

What is the purpose of detain?

The Purpose of a Detention

An officer might detain a person because they suspect that an individual was committing, has committed, or is about to commit a crime. The officer may stop the individual to ask about where they are coming from, where they are going, and what they're doing.

What is the usage of detain?

to force someone officially to stay in a place: A suspect has been detained by the police for questioning. Several of the injured were detained overnight in hospital. to delay someone for a short length of time: be unavoidably detained I'm sorry I'm late - I was unavoidably detained.

What is the meaning and sentence of detain?

a particular fact or item of information, often noticed only after giving something your close attention, or such facts or items considered as a group: [ C ] We have a report of a serious accident on Route 23, but so far no details.

What does detained do?

Detainment. Detainment refers to the act of a law enforcement officer temporarily keeping an individual in custody without an arrest, to conduct an investigation, make an inquiry, or prevent an imminent crime.

When Can The Police Detain And Handcuff Me?

35 related questions found

Can a cop detain you without telling you why?

Police may briefly detain a pedestrian if they have at least reasonable, articulable suspicion that the pedestrian is involved in current or imminent criminal activity. (Note that while they must have specific, articulable facts to support this suspicion, they do not have to share those facts with you).

How long does detained last?

How long can you be detained by the police? An investigative detention may last anywhere from a few seconds to more than an hour, though there is no absolute time limit for a detention. However, it “must be temporary and last no longer than is necessary to effectuate the purpose of the stop…” United States v.

What does it mean if someone was detained?

Being detained means a police officer temporarily suspends your freedom while they question you or search you or your vehicle. Police have a right to detain you if they have reasonable suspicion that criminal activity has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur.

What is an example of detained?

They were detained by the police for questioning. He claimed he had been illegally detained. Unexpected business had detained her.

What is a detained patient?

For the purposes of the mental health returns, a detained patient is a psychiatric patient who is formally detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 or another act. This includes patients who are on psychiatric home leave or temporarily under the care of a non-psychiatric consultant.

What is the other meaning of detain?

to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law Police detained the suspect. arrested. apprehended. seized. imprisoned.

What is it called when you detain someone against their will?

California Penal Code 236 PC describes the crime of false imprisonment as unlawfully depriving another person of their personal liberty. Put simply, it's a crime to detain, restrain, or confine someone without their consent and not allow them to leave when they want.

What does detain in conversation mean?

verb. To detain someone means to delay them, for example by talking to them.

How long can someone be detained?

Most states allow prosecutors up to 72 hours after an arrest to file charges, although some states, like California, allow only 48 hours. If the prosecutor fails to bring charges within this time limit, the court has to release you. Failure to do that is a violation of your rights.

What if a person is unlawfully detained?

Victims of unlawful detention can seek various remedies, including filing complaints against the involved officers or law enforcement agency, motions to exclude evidence obtained during the detention, and federal or state lawsuits for injunctions or monetary damages.

Can you be handcuffed while being detained?

Yes. Anytime someone is detained, an officer can handcuff them for mutual protection if it is believed to be necessary.

What to do if someone is detained?

Immediate steps
  1. Ask your friend/family member for their A-Number (A#) This number usually contains 9 digits. ...
  2. Locating someone in detention. ...
  3. Communication/visits. ...
  4. Report any raids. ...
  5. Gather immigration and criminal documents if any. ...
  6. Locating immigration court hearing information.

What is the difference between detained and incarcerated?

Detention is the temporary holding of individu- als accused of Federal crimes or those awaiting sentencing or depor- tation. Incarceration is the long-term confinement of convicted and sentenced offenders.

What is the verb form of detain?

Verb. (transitive) If you detain someone, you prevent them from proceeding by holding them back. (transitive) If a person is detained, they are put under custody. (transitive) If goods are detained, they are seized for official purposes.

Can you refuse to be handcuffed?

You are being arrested. This can be accomplished with reasonable force. It is not your choice to refuse to be handcuffed like you are deciding between soup and salad at a restaurant.

Does detainment go on record?

If law enforcement officials briefly detain someone, it doesn't typically result in a mark on that person's record unless it escalates to an arrest.

How do you know if someone is being detained?

If you are looking for someone who might be detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), you can search the ICE Detainee Locator or by calling (866) 347-2423.

How long does detention go for?

No need to stress too much about detention. While it may vary from school to school, generally, detention involves spending a set amount of time (usually around 30 minutes to 1 hour) after school or during lunch in a designated room under the supervision of a teacher or staff member.

What does detention only mean in jail?

DETENTION ONLY RELEASE: Inmates on whom criminal charges are not. filed within 48 hours of arrest shall have open charges dispositioned as a "Detention. Only." ( Refer to Penal Code Sections 825 and 851.6) Staff shall issue detention certificates to inmates whose release dispositions are "Detention Only".

How long does it take to deport someone?

On average, cases that qualify for the expedited removal process can result in a removal order within a few weeks. However, the standard removal/deportation case can often drag on for many years depending upon how backlogged the court is and how aggressively your lawyer fights for you.