has been in custody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in custody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to someone who is being held by law enforcement or authorities, typically after an arrest. Example: "The suspect has been in custody since the incident occurred last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has been in custody since late April.

The New Yorker

He has been in custody since March.

The New York Times

Choi has been in custody since Monday.

The Guardian

Bush has been in custody since.

The New York Times - Sports

He has been in custody for more than two years.

Independent

LaRose has been in custody in the US since October.

The Guardian

He has been in custody in Oregon since March.

The New York Times

He has been in custody in the UK ever since.

The Guardian

However, he added: "Mr Darwin has been in custody.

The Guardian

Sharif Mobley has been in custody since 2010.

The Guardian

He has been in custody since his arrest last week.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal situations, use "has been in custody" to clearly indicate that someone is being held by law enforcement or authorities, typically after an arrest and before a trial or release. This phrase is direct and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "has been in custody" when you mean someone is in the care of social services or another agency. "Custody" specifically refers to legal detention, not general care or supervision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in custody" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the state of being detained or imprisoned. It describes the legal status of a person who is being held by authorities. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples in news reports, confirming its common use in reporting such status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been in custody" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone's legal status of being detained by authorities. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts to report on arrests and legal proceedings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that it accurately reflects the individual's current status and to avoid confusing "custody" with other forms of care or supervision. Alternatives like "has been detained" or "is being held" can be used for slight variations in meaning or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been detained

Focuses on the act of being detained, implying a temporary holding, often for questioning or investigation.

is currently detained

Similar to "has been detained" but emphasizes the present state of detention.

is being held

A general term for being kept in a confined space by authorities.

is incarcerated

Emphasizes imprisonment and a longer-term confinement as a result of a sentence.

is imprisoned

Highlights the state of being in prison, usually after a conviction.

remains in detention

Implies that the person was previously detained and continues to be so.

is in jail

Specifies the location of custody as a jail, often indicating a shorter-term holding period.

is under arrest

Indicates the moment and immediate aftermath of being taken into legal custody.

is serving time

Specifically refers to the act of serving a prison sentence.

is behind bars

A more figurative way of saying someone is in prison.

FAQs

What does "has been in custody" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "has been in custody" signifies that a person is being detained by law enforcement or governmental authorities. It usually indicates that the individual has been arrested and is being held pending further investigation or court proceedings.

What are some alternatives to "has been in custody"?

Some alternatives include "has been detained", "is incarcerated", "is imprisoned", or "is being held", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "has been in custody" for someone who is out on bail?

No, it is generally not correct. "Has been in custody" typically implies that the person is currently being detained. Once someone is released on bail, they are no longer in custody, though they are still subject to legal constraints.

What is the difference between "has been in custody" and "was in custody"?

"Has been in custody" implies that the person's period of detention started in the past and continues to the present. "Was in custody" indicates that the person was detained at some point in the past, but is no longer in custody.