The officer must bring the arrestee before a magistrate no later than 48 hours after arrest.

• A. Within 6 hours
• B. Within 24 hours
• C. Within 48 hours
• D. Immediately

Answer: (C)

Timely initial appearance before a magistrate protects the arrestee’s rights by quickly reviewing probable cause, informing the person of charges, and addressing bail. The 48-hour window is the maximum time allowed to complete this review, balancing the need for swift oversight with practical realities of processing and transport. Shorter timeframes like six or twenty-four hours would rush the due-process review and may not be feasible in all cases, while requiring an immediate appearance would skip essential safeguards. Therefore, bringing the arrestee before a magistrate within 48 hours is the correct standard.