How long can they hold me without charging me?
Two separate clocks, and conflating them causes real confusion.
First appearance happens quickly — within 24 hours of arrest under Florida's rules. That hearing addresses probable cause and bond. It is not a charging decision.
Formal charges come later. The arrest is made by law enforcement; the decision to file is made by the State Attorney's office after reviewing the case. That review takes time, and Florida's rules set outside limits on how long someone can be held while it happens.
The practical situation this creates: a person can be arrested, see a judge, be held on bond, and still not have been formally charged for weeks. The charges eventually filed can also differ from the arrest charges — reduced, increased, added to, or not filed at all.
That interval is when defense work matters most, because the filing decision hasn't been made yet.
Talk to an Attorney — Free
An answer on a page isn't the same as advice about your case. Talk to an attorney who handles these matters on the Treasure Coast — free and confidential.