German word

Haftbefehl

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaftbəˌfeːl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwarrant for arrest

Example

Die Polizei hat einen Haftbefehl gegen ihn.

The police have a warrant for his arrest.

Illustration for Haftbefehl (warrant for arrest)

More examples

Die Behörden haben einen europäischen Haftbefehl beantragt.

The authorities applied for a European arrest warrant.

Core concept

A judge's written authorization for the state to arrest a person and hold that person pending proceedings.

Common phrases

  • einen Haftbefehl erlassen

    issue an arrest warrant

  • einen Haftbefehl gegen jemanden erlassen

    issue an arrest warrant against ___

  • einen europäischen Haftbefehl beantragen

    apply for a European arrest warrant

Similar words

Festnahme: The act of capturing and temporarily detaining someone, often at the scene.
Verhaftung: The formal act of taking someone into custody under legal procedure.
Untersuchungshaft: Pretrial detention to prevent escape or the destruction of evidence.
Haft: Imprisonment ordered after a criminal conviction.

Definition in German

Ein Haftbefehl ist eine formelle Anordnung der Justiz, eine beschuldigte Person festzunehmen und in Untersuchungshaft zu bringen.

Word origin

Haftbefehl developed transparently from Haft, custody or imprisonment, and Befehl, an order or command, with both elements retaining their ordinary meanings.

Usage tips

  • In reports, gegen jemanden liegt ein Haftbefehl vor means that an arrest warrant is outstanding against someone.

Other meanings

  • arrest ordernoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Haftprüfungdetention reviewnoun
  • Haftentlassungrelease from custodynoun

Word lists with this word