{"id":372960,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:08","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/idaho-law\/idaho-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-16T12:15:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T17:15:09","slug":"idaho-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/idaho-law\/idaho-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Idaho Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Idaho Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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

Statutes of limitations determine the time frame parties have to bring legal action. Criminal statutes begin to run when the crime happens or when law enforcement reasonably should know that a crime has happened. For instance, in the case of misdemeanors, the statute of limitations<\/a> starts when someone reports the crime.<\/p>\r\n

Both civil actions and criminal cases<\/a> have statutory limitation periods. These statutes ensure that plaintiffs and prosecutors file cases while the evidence is fresh. Criminal trials ensure a defendant’s right to a speedy trial<\/a>. State laws prevent police from delaying a cause of action until they "get around to it" or until a suspect is available for charging.<\/p>\r\n

Serious felony crimes<\/a> like murder, sex crimes such as rape, and crimes against children, do not have statutory limitations. Misdemeanor charges generally have a one- or two-year statute of limitations. Pausing or "tolling" the statute happens when the suspect is out of state or unavailable.<\/p>\r\n

If someone has charged you with a crime, hire a criminal defense attorney<\/a> as soon as possible.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal Statutes of Limitations in Idaho<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The criminal statutes of limitations in the state of Idaho determine how long it takes for the state to bring charges against a suspect following the commission of a crime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code sections<\/th>\r\n

Idaho Statutes sections 19-401<\/a> to 19-406<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Felonies<\/th>\r\n

There is no time limit<\/a> for the following crimes:<\/p>\r\n

Misdemeanors<\/th>\r\n
Crimes against children<\/th>\r\n