If a person is arrested based on probable cause without a warrant, how long does the officer have to bring them before a judge?

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When an individual is arrested without a warrant based on probable cause, the law typically requires that they be brought before a judge within a specific timeframe to ensure their rights are upheld. The correct answer indicates that this timeframe is 48 hours. This requirement serves to protect individuals against unlawful detention and ensures that any arrest is promptly reviewed by the judicial system.

The rationale behind the 48-hour rule is rooted in the need for a timely determination of probable cause by a judicial officer, allowing the arrested person to contest the legality of their detention. This practice is consistent with the Fourth Amendment and other constitutional protections that safeguard individuals against indefinite or unjust incarceration.

The other timeframes mentioned do not accurately reflect the legal standard. Bringing an individual before a judge in less than 48 hours would also not account for typical delays, while beyond this mark could suggest a violation of their rights if proper procedures are not followed. Thus, 48 hours is established as the reasonable and legally appropriate timeframe to present an arrested individual before a judge.

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