In all jurisdictions around the United States, Prosecutors can only charge someone with certain crimes within a specific amount of time. This is known as the criminal statute of limitations. Timing matters for both the prosecution and the defense.
The main purpose of this criminal law is to ensure that evidence leading to a conviction has not deteriorated over a period of time. After a specified amount of time passes, the criminal case can no longer go to trial. This means that the accused person is essentially free of legal consequences from the offense.
Certain civil cases also have statutes of limitations in place. But this article discusses time limits for criminal charges. Each state establishes its own statutes of limitations, often with distinct time limits for different types of crimes.
Generally, the prosecutor’s "clock" starts only if the criminal suspect remains in the state. If the person flees or goes into hiding, the clock will pause (in legal jargon, "toll") and will resume when the suspected person reenters the state. This is to prevent criminals from avoiding the consequences of their crimes by running and waiting out the authorities. Other circumstances may justify tolling, such as concealment of wrongdoing.
Not all crimes have statutes of limitations. A felony offense like murder, for example, does not have a statute of limitations. This means that a murderer can be brought to justice many decades later.
Some states do not have time limits for other types of crime, such as sex offenses like aggravated sexual assault of a child under 18 years of age. Colorado has no statute of limitations for treason. California has none for the embezzlement of public funds.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations (in Seattle or elsewhere), immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.