A more thorough explanation:

A holding charge is a criminal charge that is filed against an accused person for a minor offense. The purpose of this charge is to keep the accused in custody while prosecutors take time to build a bigger case and prepare more serious charges.

For example, if someone is suspected of committing a serious crime like murder, but there isn't enough evidence to charge them yet, the prosecutor may file a holding charge for a minor offense like trespassing or disorderly conduct. This allows the accused to be held in custody while the prosecutor gathers more evidence and builds a stronger case.

Another example could be if someone is suspected of being involved in a drug trafficking ring, but the prosecutor needs more time to gather evidence and build a case. They may file a holding charge for a minor drug offense like possession of a small amount of drugs. This allows the accused to be held in custody while the prosecutor continues their investigation.

Overall, holding charges are used as a tool by prosecutors to keep accused persons in custody while they work on building a stronger case against them.