In criminal law, a holding cell is defined as a courthouse jail, lockup, or confinement facility, where an accused person is temporarily detained or confined during a trial or pending a sentence. After the accused is sentenced or found guilty, then they may be taken back to a traditional jail or prison (depending on the sentence), where they may be held for the duration of their sentence.
[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]