{"id":373828,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-23T16:01:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T21:01:07","slug":"maryland-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland 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

Statutes of limitations are state laws that set time limits for prosecutors and plaintiffs to file legal actions. Civil statutes of limitations ensure that plaintiffs file civil actions promptly while evidence is available and witness recollections are fresh. Criminal statutes<\/a> protect a defendant’s right to a speedy trial and ensure legal proceedings are not held over a defendant’s head.<\/p>\r\n

Maryland’s criminal statutes of limitations give prosecutors ample time to file criminal charges for felonies<\/a>. Serious crimes have no limitation period. Misdemeanors have a two- or three-year statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

If you face criminal charges, hire a lawyer<\/a> right away.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Statutes may be suspended or tolled if the defendant is out of the state or unknown and can’t be found.<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Criminal Statutes of Limitation<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Different types of crimes have different statutes of limitations. In Maryland, all serious felonies have no statute of limitations \u2014 that is, the prosecutor may bring charges whenever there is enough evidence<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-106<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Felonies<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

No time limit:<\/p>\r\n