Detained? This is what it means and these are your rights.
Have you been taken into custody after being arrested by the police? This is a drastic measure. You are detained, often without knowing how long you will be held or what will happen next. Many people immediately search for "what does being taken into custody mean" or "how long can the police hold me."
In this blog, we explain what detention is, how long it can last, what your rights are, and why immediate legal intervention is crucial.
What does "insured" mean?
Taking someone into custody means that the police can hold you longer after the maximum period for questioning has expired. This only happens if the public prosecutor believes that:
the research that makes it necessary, and
there is suspicion of a criminal offense for which pretrial detention is permitted.
Taking someone into custody is therefore a more serious measure than a normal arrest.
How long can detention last?
The duration of detention is limited by law:
maximum 3 days (72 hours),
extend once for an additional 3 days.
In total, you can therefore be insured for a maximum of 6 days.
After this period, a decision must be made:
either you will be released, or
or you will be brought before the examining magistrate for remand in custody.
What are your rights while in custody?
You also retain important rights while in custody:
Right to a lawyer
Right to consult with your lawyer
Right to remain silent
Right to medical care
Right to information about the suspicion
During this phase, a lawyer can:
attend hearings,
object to unlawful continuation,
actively pursuing release.
Is everyone insured?
No. Detention may not be applied indiscriminately. The measure must:
are necessary for the investigation,
be proportional,
and be legally well-founded.
In practice, it often happens that:
taking an unnecessarily long time to secure
or even unlawfully applied.
What happens after the arrest?
After the (extended) detention period, there are three possibilities:
You are released.
You are being sent away with conditions.
You will be brought before the examining magistrate for remand in custody.
This moment is often decisive for the further course of your criminal case.
Why hire a criminal defense attorney immediately?
The detention phase is one of the most critical moments in a criminal case. What happens here often determines:
whether you remain stuck,
how the file is structured,
which statements will later be used against you.
A specialized criminal defense attorney:
protects your rights,
prevents unnecessary delays,
actively pursues release.
Insured? Don't wait around
Have you been arrested yourself, or has a loved one been detained? Every day—and sometimes every hour—counts.
👉 Contact us directly for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will put you in touch with a specialized criminal defense attorney right away.