{"id":373218,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-24T10:45:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T15:45:27","slug":"indiana-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana 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 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

Each state has criminal statutes of limitations<\/a>. These give the prosecutor a certain amount of time to file criminal charges. These statutes protect a defendant’s right to a speedy trial and ensure criminal trials use the best available evidence<\/a>. States also have civil statutes of limitation, which give plaintiffs a set period of time to file civil lawsuits.<\/p>\r\n

Under Indiana law, misdemeanors have a two-year statute of limitations. Most felonies<\/a> have a five-year limitations period. If the state discovers DNA evidence, it has a longer time frame to file charges. Murder and other serious crimes, like sex offenses, have no time limit.<\/p>\r\n

If you’re facing criminal charges, contact a criminal defense lawyer<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\r\n

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

Learn about Indiana’s criminal statute of limitations laws and related matters in the sections below. You can also visit FindLaw’s Criminal Law Basics<\/a> for more introductory information on this topic.<\/p>\r\n

Code Section<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Indiana Code section 35-41-4-2<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Felonies<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Indiana’s legislature revised the criminal code in 2014. Criminal offenses committed or charged before July 1, 2014, may be listed as "Class A" crimes, while offenses after that date may be "Level 1" crimes. The offense, sentence, and limitation period are the same.<\/p>\r\n

No Time Limit<\/b><\/p>\r\n

There is no period of limitations for a Level 1 or Level 2 (Class A) felony. These offenses include:<\/p>\r\n