Custody Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Custody.

Custody (noun)

1. The legal detention of a person by the police or in prison, typically after conviction for a crime or while awaiting trial.
2. The lawful authority granted to a parent(s) to take care of, control, and maintain their underage child, often used in situations of divorce or separation.
3. The act of holding someone’s property or goods under one's control, implying a responsibility for the safekeeping and preservation of the items.