How long can a suspect be detained by police after arrest without additional approval?

The law outlines specific limits on how long a suspect can be detained without additional approval to protect individual rights and ensure that detentions are not prolonged unnecessarily. In many jurisdictions, including under Australian law, a suspect can typically be detained for up to 4 hours after their arrest without needing to seek further approval from a court or other authority. This period allows law enforcement enough time to conduct initial questioning, gather evidence, and determine if there are grounds for further detention or charges.

If the police wish to continue to hold the suspect beyond the 4-hour mark, they must usually obtain a warrant or gain approval from a magistrate, which ensures oversight of the detention process and adherence to due process rights. This limit emphasizes the balance between the needs of law enforcement and the rights of individuals.