Arraignment timelines vary based on the charges and how busy the courts are, but in most jurisdictions, including New Mexico, the law requires an initial appearance before a judge within 48 hours of arrest. That initial appearance, sometimes called a first appearance or preliminary hearing, is where bail is addressed and the charges are formally presented. The full arraignment, where a defendant enters a plea, can follow quickly or be scheduled for a separate date depending on the case.
For misdemeanor charges, arraignment often happens within a day or two. For felony charges, the process can take several days, particularly if the arrest happened over a weekend when court schedules are reduced. Holidays add additional time as well.
If your family member was arrested yesterday, expect the first court appearance to happen within the next 24 to 48 hours if it has not already. Valencia County's magistrate and district courts operate on regular business schedules, so a weekend arrest may push the first appearance to Monday if the courts are not in session.
The best way to track what is happening is to call the Valencia County Detention Center and ask about scheduled court appearances, or check the New Mexico courts case lookup online if the case has been filed.