You must be brought before a judge within 24 hours of arrest on weekdays or within 48 hours if your arrest happens over a weekend. This is the arraignment hearing where the judge reads the charges, advises you of your rights, accepts your plea, and sets bail. If you are held longer than these statutory limits without an arraignment, that detention can be challenged in court, and any statements you made during the unlawful detention may be excluded from evidence. Bail commissioners can sometimes set initial bail at the police station within hours of arrest, before the formal court arraignment.
