1. occurring or existing before a criminal conviction
Usage: legal

1. the period or state before a criminal conviction occurs
Usage: legal

Examples

• The defendant was held in preconviction detention for six months.
• Preconviction programs aim to divert offenders from the criminal justice system.
• The study examined preconviction mental health services.
• During the preconviction phase, the accused maintained his innocence.
• Preconviction supervision allows defendants to remain in the community.
• The lawyer argued for preconviction release on bail.