The general rule is that you can only be held in jail for 48 hours without being charged. After that, you must either be released or charged with a crime.

The exception to this rule is if you are arrested on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and are held for more than 24 hours. You will then have to wait until the next Tuesday (excluding holidays) before being released or charged.

It is important to note that this only applies to misdemeanors (theft, assault, etc.) and not felonies (murder, arson). In addition, many states have exceptions which allow them to hold someone longer than 48 hours without charging them with a crime. For example, some states allow police officers to hold people for up to 72 hours without charges if they believe there is a danger of flight (i.e., the person may leave town if released).

Last modified: October 14, 2022