The Critical 37 Days After a Criminal Detention: What Families Should Do

From detention to arrest approval can take up to about 37 days. Every step in this window can shape the case — here is what families should, and should not, do.

A family member is suddenly taken away; a detention notice arrives. For most families this is the most disorienting moment of all. Yet it is precisely this early period that sets the trajectory of the case. Understanding the timeline is the first step to not wasting a single day.

Why "37 days"

After criminal detention the police generally request arrest approval within 3 days, extendable by 1–4 days; for major suspects involved in roving, repeated, or gang offenses this extends to 30 days. The procuratorate then decides within 7 days. Thirty plus seven is the "golden 37 days" practitioners speak of. Once arrest is approved, custody typically continues through prosecutorial review and trial, and release on bail becomes markedly harder.

Three things families should do

First, retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer quickly — during investigation generally only defense counsel may meet the detained person and learn the charges and status. Second, preserve documents: the detention notice, contact details for the handling unit and officer, and records of any amounts or events involved. Third, stay calm and avoid the "pay to get them out" trap — treat any promise to "fix it" through connections with deep suspicion.

What a lawyer can do in this window

After meeting the client, counsel can verify the alleged charges, provide guidance, steady the client, and — where the conditions are met — apply for bail and submit written argument against approving arrest. Engaging one day earlier often means one more chance to act on a decisive moment.

※ This article is general legal information, not legal advice on any specific matter. For your individual case, please consult a lawyer.