How long can you be held in police custody?

The normal maximum time a person can be held in police custody without charge is 24 hours from their arrival at the station. This can be extended to 36 hours if a Superintendent or higher-ranking officer authorises it, but only if further detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence and the investigation is being conducted diligently and expeditiously. Extensions do not apply to minor summary-only offences.

For more serious offences, the police can apply to a Magistrates’ Court for a warrant of further detention, allowing detention to be extended up to a total of 96 hours before a charge must be made or the person released.