Pidättämä

Pidättämä refers to the act of temporarily holding or detaining a person, typically by law enforcement or authorities, for a limited period without formal arrest or charges. The term is commonly used in Finnish legal and procedural contexts, particularly in the early stages of an investigation.

During pidättämä, the individual is not considered a suspect in the formal sense but may be questioned or observed to gather evidence. The duration of pidättämä is usually short, often lasting up to 24 hours, though extensions may be granted under specific circumstances. The purpose is to prevent the person from interfering with the investigation, fleeing, or influencing witnesses.

In practice, pidättämä is distinct from formal arrest (*pidätys*), which carries more legal weight and may lead to detention in custody. Authorities must follow strict procedural rules, including notifying the person of their rights and the reasons for detention. If no charges are filed after the period, the individual is typically released without further action.

Pidättämä is a standard investigative tool in Finland, allowing law enforcement to balance public safety with procedural fairness. Its use is governed by the Finnish Penal Procedure Act (*Rikosoikeudellinen menettelylaki*), ensuring compliance with constitutional rights and legal safeguards.