Constructive custody is best described as which of the following?

• A. Physical restraint
• B. Verbal threats
• C. Detaining someone within limits without physical restraint
• D. Not a valid concept in law enforcement

Answer: (C)

Constructive custody means being effectively under arrest without using physical restraints. The person isn’t physically handcuffed, but their freedom of movement is limited by the officers or the situation, so they are not free to leave. That makes the detention real in practice, even though there’s no physical restraint. This is why describing it as detaining someone within limits without physical restraint fits best: the restraint is on their liberty, not on their limbs. By contrast, actual physical restraint creates custody with physical control, verbal threats don’t, by themselves, establish custodial status in all cases, and constructive custody is a real, recognized concept in law enforcement.