Thread by @WarNuse

'Statutes Of Limitations On Crimes Against Children'

What Is A Statute Of Limitations?

A Statute Of Limitations (SOL) Is The Maximum Amount Of Time One Has To Bring A Lawsuit From The Time Of Injury Or Other Grounds For A Lawsuit Either Criminal Or Civil.

Sols Vary From State To State And From Claim To Claim. It May Be Different For Specific Crimes And It May Begin Running At Differing Times, Usually Either From The Time Of Injury Or From The Time Of Discovery Of The Injury.

Why Is SOL Important In Child Sex Abuse Cases?

Research Shows That Most People Who Experience Sexual Abuse In Childhood Do Not Disclose Until Adulthood.

Therefore, Narrow Statutes Of Limitation Can Prevent The Punishment Of Perpetrators On The Criminal Side, And Prevent Redress On The Civil Side.

'Statutes Of Limitations Legal Terms'

'Tolling'

If A Statute Of Limitations Is 'Tolled', It Means That The Clock Does Not Begin Running Until A Certain Event Occurs Other Than The Actual Injury. This Event Is Most Often When The Victim Reaches The Age Of 18.

'Discovery'

In Some States The Statute Of Limitations Does Not Begin Running From The Date Of The Actual Injury, But Rather From When The Victim 'Discovers' The Injury.

'Window Legislation'

Establishes A Specified Duration Of Time During Which Civil Claims Can Be Brought That Would Have Otherwise Been Barred By A Statute Of Limitations. Civil Suits Can Provide Justice And Compensation For Victims.

Also, Because Perpetrators Often Have Multiple Victims Over A Long Period Of Time, Identifying Them Publicly Can Cause Other Victims To Come Forward.

When New Victims Come Forward, It May Be Possible For Prosecutors To Identify An Event For Which The Criminal SOL Has Not Yet Taken Effect, Allowing The Alleged Offender To Be Criminally Charged.

'Retroactive Revocation Of Statutes Of Limitation
In Criminal Cases'

The SOL Cannot Be Supended To Retroactively Apply To Cases For Which It Has Already Passed. Once A Statute Of Limitations Expires, A Perpetrator Cannot Be Criminally Charged.

'In Civil Cases'

The SOL Can Be Suspended Retroactively At The Will Of The Legislature. 'Window Legislation' Is One Way In Which A Legislature May Suspend The Civil SOL.

(Source: National Children’s Alliance)

(To Be Continued.)

'No Statutes Of Limitations For Some Crimes'

Some Crimes Have No Statutes Of Limitations. As An Example, Murder Typically Has None.

Sexual Crimes Against Minors And Violent Crimes Have None In Many States.

Let's Take A Look At Each State Individually, And Clarify What States Have The Victims Best Interest, And What States Do Not.

The Original List Also Contains Misdemeanors, Which I Purposely Did Not Include In The List.

'Alabama'

Felonies: 3 Years, Except In The Case Of Capital Offenses, Violent Offenses, Arson, Forgery, Counterfeiting, Drug Trafficking And Any Crimes Involving Minors.

'Alaska'

Felonies: 10 Years For Most Felonies, No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Attempted Murder, Murder-Related Offenses, Felony Sexual Abuse Of A Minor, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping And Felonies Committed Against Minors.

'Arizona'

Felonies: 7 Years For Class 2 Through Class 6 Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Capital Offenses.

'Arkansas'

Felonies: 6 Years For A Class Y Or Class A Felony, 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or For Rape When A Positive DNA Match Is Established.

'California'

Felonies: 6 Years For Murder And Other Capital Offenses. 3 Years For Lower-Level Felonies.

'Colorado'

Felonies: 10 Years For Capital Offenses Including Murder, Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Treason, Forgery And Sexual Assault. 3 Years For Other Felonies.

'Connecticut'

Felonies: 5 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Class A Felonies Like Murder, Kidnapping, Home Invasion, First Degree Arson, Aggravated Sexual Assault Of A Minor, And First Degree Sexual Assault.

'Connecticut' (Con't)

In Cases Of Sexual Abuse Or Exploitation Against A Minor, Except For Those That Are Class A Felonies, The Statute Of Limitations Is 30 Years From The Victim’s 18th Birthday Or 5 Years From The Time That The Victim Notifies Police. Whichever Occurs First.

'Delaware'

Felonies: 3 Years For Forgery, Fraud, Property Theft Or Misconduct In Public Office. 5 Years For All Other Felonies, Unless Forensic DNA Evidence Is Found, In Which Case The Statutory Period Is Extended To 10 Years.

'Delaware' (Con't)

No Statute Of Limitations For Class A Felonies Including Murder Or Attempted Murder.

'District Of Columbia'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations For First Or Second Degree Murder. 15 Years For First Or Second Degree Sexual Abuse. 10 Years For Other Sexual Crimes, Including Those Committed Against A Minor. 3 Years For All Other Felonies.

'Florida'

Felonies: 4 Years For First Degree Felonies. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Crimes Resulting In Death Nor For Any Crime That Would Warrant Life Imprisonment.

'Georgia'

Felonies: 18 Years For Crimes Committed Against Victims Under 14. 15 Years For Forcible Rape. 7 Years For Crimes Punishable By Death Or Life Imprisonment. 4 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Hawaii'

Felonies: 10 Years For Manslaughter, Non-Vehicular. 6 Years For Class A Felonies. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For First Or Second Degree Murder Or Attempted Murder.

'Idaho'

Felonies: 5 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter Or Rape. In Cases Of Sexual Abuse Committed Against A Child Under 16, The Statutory Period Remains In Effect Until 5 Years After The Victim’s 18th Birthday.

'Idaho' (Con't)

In Cases Of Ritualized Abuse Committed Against A Child, The Statutory Period Remains In Effect Until 3 Years After The Victim Discloses The Crime.

'Illinois'

Felonies: 10 Years For Criminal Sexual Assault Or Aggravated Sexual Abuse. 3 Years For Most Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Crimes Related To Murder, Manslaughter, Homicide, Treason, Arson Or Forgery.

'Illinois' (Con't)

In Cases Of Incestuous Sexual Conduct Or Sexual Abuse Of A Minor, The Statutory Period Extends To One Year After The Victim Turns 18. In Cases Of Criminal Sexual Assault Against A Minor, The Statutory Period Lasts 20 Years After The Victim’s 18th Birthday.

'Indiana'

Felonies: 5 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or For Class A Felonies. The Statutory Period For Sex Crimes Committed Against Minors Ends When The Victim Reaches 31 Years Of Age.

'Iowa'

Felonies: 3 Years For General Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For First Or Second Degree Murder. 10 Years For Sex Abuse Crimes. If The Victim Of A Sex Crime Is A Minor, The Statutory Period Ends 10 Years After The Victim Turns 18.

'Kansas'

Felonies: 10 Years For Sexually Violent Crimes Other Than Rape Committed Against An Adult. 10 Years Beyond The 18th Birthday Of The Victim Of Sexually Violent Crimes Other Than Rape Committed Against A Child.

'Kansas' (Con't)

5 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Terrorism Or Use Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction.

'Kentucky'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations.

'Louisiana'

Felonies: 6 Years For Felonies Punishable By Hard Labor. 4 Years For Felonies Not Punishable By Hard Labor. 10 Years For Sex Crimes Committed Against Children.

'Louisiana' (Con't)

The Clock Begins When The Victim Turns 18. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Rape Or Any Crime Punishable By Death Or Life Imprisonment.

'Maine'

Felonies: 8 Years For Unlawful Sexual Contact Or Gross Sexual Assault. 6 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, First Or Second Degree Homicide, Incest Or Sexual Assault Crimes Committed Against A Victim Under The Age Of 16.

'Maryland'

Felonies: 3 Years For Vehicular Manslaughter Or Homicide, Welfare Fraud, Medicare Fraud, Wage Discrimination, Unauthorized Medical Practice Or Tax-Related Offenses.

'Maryland' (Con't)

2 Years For Election Law Violations Or Criminal Malfeasance By An Officer. 1 Year For Assault, Libel Or Slander. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Massachusetts'

Felonies: 15 Years For Rape And Sexual Assault Crimes Against Children. 10 Years For Robbery Or Intent To Rob/Murder With A Deadly Weapon. 6 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Michigan'

Felonies: 10 Years For Kidnapping, Extortion, Sex Crimes Against Minors Or Assault With Intent To Murder. 6 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Minnesota'

Felonies: 9 Years For Criminal Sexual Misconduct. 6 Years For Bribery, Theft Or Medical Assistance Fraud. 5 Years For Arson Or Environmental Offenses. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Mississippi'

Felonies: 6 Years For Larceny Of Timber. 5 Years For Conspiracy, Assistance-Program Fraud Or Abuse Of Vulnerable Persons. 2 Years For Other Felonies. There Is No Statute Of Limitations For Murder...

'Mississippi' (Con't)

...Manslaughter, Rape, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, Arson, Domestic Violence, Burglary, Forgery, Robbery, Counterfeiting, Embezzlement, Obtaining Money By Fraud, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse Or Sex Crimes Against Children.

'Missouri'

Felonies: 3 Years For Most Felonies. 10 Years For Sex Crimes Involving Minors Under 17. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or Class A Felonies. If Fraud Is Uncovered, Prosecution Can Commence Within 3 Years Of Discovery.

'Montana'

Felonies: 5 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Deliberate Or Negligent Homicide. If A Sex Crime Is Committed Against A Minor, Prosecution May Commence Within 10 Years Of The Victim’s 18th Birthday.

'Nebraska'

Felonies: 3 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Treason, Arson Or Forgery. If A Minor Under The Age Of 16 Is The Victim Of Sexual Assault, Kidnapping...

'Nebraska' (Con't)

...Child Abuse Or Pandering, Prosecution Can Commence 7 Years From The Date Of The Offense Or By The Victim’s 16th Birthday, Whichever Comes Later.

'Nevada'

Felonies: 4 Years For Sexual Assault, Theft, Robbery, Burglary, Forgery Or Arson. 3 Years For Most Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder. A Victim Of Child Sexual Abuse Can File A Complaint Until The Age Of 36 If He Or She Discovered...

'Nevada' (Con't)

...Or 'Reasonably Should Have Discovered' The Abuse By That Time. If The Victim Reasonably Should Not Have Discovered The Abuse Up To That Point, He Or She Can File A Complaint Up To The Age Of 43.

'New Hampshire'

Felonies: 6 Years For Class A Felonies And Class B Felonies. 2 Years For Misconduct In Public Office. 1 Year For Breach Of Fiduciary Duty. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'New Hampshire' (Con't)

If A Minor Is The Victim Of A Sex Crime, A Complaint May Be Filed Within 22 Years Of His Or Her 18th Birthday.

'New Jersey'

Felonies: 5 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or Manslaughter. If A Minor Is A Victim Of A Crime...

'New Jersey' (Con't)

...Prosecution Must Be Commenced No More Than Five Years After The Victim’s 18th Birthday, Or Two Years After The Discovery Of The Crime, Whichever Is Later.

'New Mexico'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations For First Degree Felonies. 6 Years For Second Degree Felonies. 5 Years For Third And Fourth Degree Felonies. 3 Years For Other Felonies.

'New York'

Felonies: 6 Years For Crimes Punishable By 8 Or More Years In Prison. 3 Years For Lesser Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or Other Capital Offenses.

'North Carolina'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations.

'North Dakota'

Felonies: 3 Years For Most Felonies. 10 Years, Or 3 Years Upon Indictment, For Sexual Abuse Against Minors. 7 Years For Human Trafficking. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Ohio'

Felonies: 20 Years For High-Level Felonies Like Rape, Assault, Conspiracy, Sexual Assault Against A Minor, Sexual Battery And Kidnapping. 2 Years For Misconduct In Public Office. 6 Years For Other Non-Capital Offenses. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Oklahoma'

Felonies: 7 Years For Embezzlement Of Public Money, Bribery, Rape And Indecent Acts Against Children. 5 Years For General Embezzlement, Criminal Conspiracy, Income Tax Violations. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder.

'Oregon'

Felonies: 6 Years For Sexual Felonies. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or Manslaughter.

'Pennsylvania'

Felonies: 12 Years For Major Sexual Offenses Like Rape And Sexual Assault. 5 Years For Major Offenses Like Criminal Conspiracy, Robbery And Aggravated Assault. 2 Years For Other Felonies.

'Pennsylvania' (Con't)

No Statute Of Limitations For Crimes Related To Murder, Homicide Or Manslaughter. There Is An Additional 8-Year Statute Of Limitations For Misconduct In Office And An Additional 3-Year Statute Of Limitations For Fraud.

'Rhode Island'

Felonies: 10 Years For Larceny, Bribery, Embezzlement, Extortion, Antitrust Violations And Racketeering. 7 Years For Water Pollution. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Major Crimes Like Murder...

'Rhode Island' (Con't)

...Treason, Arson, Burglary, Forgery, Robbery, Rape, Drug Crimes, Sexual Assault And Child Molestation.

'South Carolina'

Felonies: No Statutes Of Limitations.

'South Dakota'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations For Class A, Class B Or Class C Felonies, Including Murder. All Other Crimes Carry A 7-Year Statute Of Limitations.

'Tennessee'

Felonies: 15 Years For Class A Felonies. 8 Years For Class B Felonies. 4 Years For Class C Or Class D Felonies. 2 Years For Class E Felonies. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder Or Any Crime Punishable By Death Or Life Imprisonment.

'Texas'

Felonies: 10 Years For Estate Theft, Forgery, Injury To A Disabled Or Elderly Individual, Arson And Compelling Prostitution. 7 Years For Money Laundering, Fraud, Identity Theft, Felony Tax Crimes And Bigamy. 5 Years For Theft, Burglary, Robbery...

'Texas' (Con't)

...Child Endangerment And Insurance Fraud. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Manslaughter Or Serious Sex Crimes, Including Those Committed Against Children.

'Utah'

Felonies: 4 Years For Negligent Homicide. 3 Years For Breach Of Fiduciary Obligation. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Homicide, Manslaughter, Child Abuse, Rape, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping Or Sex Crimes Against Children.

'Utah' (Con't)

No Statute Of Limitations For Crimes That Involve Collected DNA Evidence Waiting To Be Matched With A Suspect. Once A Suspect Is Identified, Authorities Have One Year To Act If The Statute Of Limitations For The Crime Has Otherwise Run Out.

'Vermont'

Felonies: 40 Years For Sex Crimes Against Minors And Manslaughter Against Minors. 6 Years For Manslaughter, Sexual Assault, Lewd Conduct, Sexual Abuse Against Vulnerable Adults, Sexual Exploitation Of Children, Robbery, Embezzlement...

'Vermont' (Con't)

...Burglary, Felony Tax Crimes, Bribery, Forgery, Fraud And False Claims. 3 Years For Other Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder, Kidnapping, Aggravated Sexual Assault Or Arson That Results In Death.

'Virginia'

Felonies: 3 Years For Tax Evasion, Dumping Or Discharging Toxic Substances, Sale Of Wild Animals Or Freshwater Fish. 2 Years For Malfeasance In Office Or Building Code Violations. No Statute Of Limitations For Major Crimes Like Murder, Rape Or Sexual Assault.

'Washington'

Felonies: 10 Years For Rape, If Reported Within 1 Year Of Commission, Arson Or Misconduct In Office. 6 Years For Criminal Profiteering Or Organized Crime Leadership. 5 Years For Class C Felonies. 3 Years For Lesser Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Murder...

'Washington' (Con't)

...Arson Causing Death Or Any Type Of Vehicular Incident Resulting In Death. If A Child Under 14 Is The Victim Of Rape, The Statutory Period Can Extend Until 3 Years After The Victim’s 18th Birthday Even If The 10-Year Statutory Period Has Passed.

'West Virginia'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations.

'Wisconsin'

Felonies: 6 Years For Most Felonies. No Statute Of Limitations For Intentional Or Reckless Homicide Or Murder. If A Minor Child Has Suffered Intentional Or Reckless Bodily Harm Or Mental Harm, Or If A Minor Child Has Been Given Or Sold A Controlled Substance...

'Wisconsin' (Con't)

...The Statutory Period Does Not End Until The Victim Reaches 26 Years Of Age. If A Minor Child Is The Victim Of A Sex Crime, The Statutory Period Does Not End Until The Victim Reaches The Age Of 31.

'Wyoming'

Felonies: No Statute Of Limitations.

(Source: LawInfo)