What does the term booking refer to in law enforcement?

In law enforcement, the term booking refers to the administrative processing that occurs after an individual has been arrested. This phase involves entering the arrested person's information into a police database, recording the details of the arrest, taking fingerprints, and often obtaining a mugshot. The purpose of booking is to formally document the arrest and the charges against the individual, which is essential for the legal process that follows.

Booking is a critical step that ensures proper records are kept, and it lays the groundwork for subsequent legal proceedings, such as arraignment. It differentiates from other terms related to law enforcement and criminal justice, such as advising rights or court-ordered supervision, which serve entirely different functions within the legal system.