How long can you be kept under arrest for?

Question

Someone I know has been arrested for assaulting someone who broke into his shed, for general assault and under these circumstances does anyone know how long the police will usually keep you for? Also what will the punishment be?

Answer 1

72 hours for a bail hearing.

Answer 2

If he has been turned over to the county jail, then it's a state charge of assault.  This means he has a bond amount and will stay in jail until he posts that bond or appears in front of a judge or court commissioner (usually within 24-48 hours), who will decide whether to release him or hold him with the bond amount.

Answer 3

You can be held without charges for a period of time determined by state law. It is 48 hours in Wisconsin, but I've seen posts stating anywhere between 24 and 72 hours in other states.  

Once you are charged, a judge will set bail. If you post the bail, you will be released. If not, you can be held until trial, which is an indefinite time.