"Pretrial detention" refers to the period of time when a person is held in custody before a trial, usually because they are considered a flight risk or a danger to society. Full definition
The proposals include the elimination of pretrial detention for low - level offenses; setting a speedy trial requirement to keep people from being held in jail for months awaiting trial; and changing discovery rules to allow defendants access to all evidence before making a plea. (amny.com)
As we have seen, an accused may be held in pretrial detention for years, only to be acquitted or have proceedings stayed. (slaw.ca)
«Indigent clients... remain in pretrial detention for up to five or six months without a single contact from an attorney.» (legalblogwatch.typepad.com)