In the context of law enforcement, what does "custody" imply?

In law enforcement terminology, "custody" refers to a situation where a suspect is under police control and not free to leave. This implies that the individual is in a situation where their freedom of movement is significantly restricted due to law enforcement's authority. When a person is in custody, it is often because they are being subjected to interrogation or are under arrest, reflecting the legal authority that the police have over that individual at that time. This definition plays a critical role in understanding the rights of suspects, especially in relation to when an individual must be informed of their rights, such as when they are read the Miranda warning before questioning.

The notion of custody does not align with the ideas of freedom to leave at any time, court supervision, or an informal questioning process, as these situations either imply that an individual has the liberty to walk away or do not reflect the direct control and authority that characterize a custodial situation.