Pidontä

Pidontä is a Finnish term that translates to "holding" or "detention" in English. It most commonly refers to the act of a law enforcement officer detaining an individual, typically for a short period, while investigating a potential crime or ensuring public safety. This is not an arrest, and the person is not formally charged. The purpose of pidontä is to allow officers to gather information, verify identities, or prevent immediate harm.

In Finnish law, pidontä must be justified by reasonable suspicion. Officers must explain the reason for the detention to the individual. There are legal limits to how long a person can be held in pidontä, and these durations vary depending on the circumstances. If grounds for arrest are established, the detention may be extended into a formal arrest. Pidontä is distinct from other forms of detention, such as imprisonment following a court conviction. It is a temporary measure aimed at facilitating an investigation.