{"id":371710,"date":"2016-06-07T16:13:49","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T21:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2024-11-04T11:27:29","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T16:27:29","slug":"arkansas-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Arkansas Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n This article provides a basic overview of Arkansas’ statute of limitations laws.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The statute of limitations<\/a> is the time limit in which a plaintiff or prosecutor must file a civil case or criminal charges, respectively. The civil statute of limitations discourages plaintiffs from indefinitely threatening legal action against a person. Civil and criminal statutes of limitations help ensure a fair trial and preserve the evidence’s integrity.<\/p>\r\n

In Arkansas, murder and several other serious crimes don’t have time limits. Also, under certain circumstances, the limitations period "tolls<\/a>" or stops running. For example, suppose a person leaves the state to avoid prosecution. In that case, the statute of limitations may extend for several years beyond the date it would have otherwise expired.<\/p>\r\n

This article offers links to articles that cover the civil and criminal statute of limitations laws in depth. It also discusses general information about Arkansas law<\/a> on the periods of time plaintiffs and the state have to file civil cases and criminal charges, respectively. It concludes with a list of related resources.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of Limitations Explained<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

State legislatures create their state’s statute of limitations. So, the statute of limitations for a specific civil or criminal case in one state may differ from another state.<\/p>\r\n

The statute of limitations<\/a> requires plaintiffs and the state to file their cases within a certain time limit. In doing so, these laws promote judicial efficiency. They also prevent prejudice against a defendant by ensuring the filing party files the case while the evidence is still relatively fresh. Filing a lawsuit close to the date of the offense ensures witnesses’ memories and other evidence do not deteriorate over time.<\/p>\r\n

Failing to file a case within the statute of limitations bars the plaintiff or prosecution from filing their case. A court must always consider jurisdictional arguments. A court does not have jurisdiction over a case filed after the limitations period<\/a> has expired. So, the court will dismiss a case filed after the limitations period, regardless of the case’s merits.<\/p>\r\n

Arkansas Statutes of Limitations: Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

For more information about Arkansas law, visit these links:<\/p>\r\n