Haftzeit

Haftzeit is a legal term used in German-speaking jurisdictions to describe the duration a person is held in custody in connection with a criminal case. It covers time spent in detention by state authorities, including pre-trial detention and periods of imprisonment after a conviction. In everyday use, Haftzeit refers to the total time a person is under custody from arrest or remand to release or completion of a sentence.

Two main forms are distinguished. Untersuchungshaft refers to pre-trial detention during the investigation and before a verdict, while Strafhaft denotes the imprisonment imposed as punishment after a conviction. The term is also important for calculating the final sentence because time already served in custody can often be credited toward the term to be served. This crediting, known as Anrechnung der Haftzeit, depends on jurisdictional rules and the specifics of the case; in some situations only part of the time may count.

Haftzeit influences release timing and, in many systems, eligibility for early release or parole. If a person is acquitted or released without a sentence, the custody period may still have legal consequences, such as compensation for wrongful detention or other remedies, depending on the case and jurisdiction.

Overall, Haftzeit provides a framework for understanding how long a person remains in custody and how that time interacts with sentencing and release decisions. See also: Untersuchungshaft, Strafvollzug, Anrechnung der Haftzeit.