{"id":373895,"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-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-04-28T17:20:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T22:20:45","slug":"maryland-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n \n Maryland Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

All states have statutes of limitations<\/a>. These are limitations periods for prosecutors and plaintiffs to file cases in court. Criminal statutes give prosecutors filing deadlines for criminal charges. Civil statutes give plaintiffs time frames to begin legal actions in civil claims.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal statutes of limitations protect a defendant’s right to a speedy trial<\/a>. Prosecutors must investigate crimes as they happen and charge suspects when there is enough evidence. Civil statutes ensure plaintiffs file lawsuits while evidence is available and witnesses’ memories are fresh. They also ensure defendants don’t have the threat of lawsuits hanging over their heads.<\/p>\r\n

In Maryland, some crimes, such as murder<\/a> and other serious felonies, have no statute of limitations. Most criminal cases have a three-year statute of limitations. Civil claims, such as personal injury cases, generally have a three-year limitations period.<\/p>\r\n

If someone has accused you of a crime, hire a criminal defense attorney<\/a> right away. If someone has wronged you and you think you have a civil lawsuit against them, hire a litigation attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling and the Discovery Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Sometimes, an injured party is not aware of the cause of their injury within the statute of limitations. For instance, a medical malpractice<\/a> case may cause an injury that doesn’t appear for many years after the operation. In these cases, the discovery rule allows a claimant to file a cause of action from the date they discovered the harm rather than the date of the injury.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling<\/a> suspends the statute for a certain time period under the law. Criminal tolling may happen when a defendant is unknown or out of the state and can’t be found. Civil tolling happens when the claimant is underage or unable to file a claim due to mental disability.<\/p>\r\n

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

Maryland’s Code of Courts and Judicial Proceedings contains the state’s civil and criminal statutes of limitation (Cts. & Jud. Proc. \u00a75-101 et seq.<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Civil Statute of Limitations<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n

Almost all civil actions have a three-year statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Criminal Statute of Limitations<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n

Under Maryland law, serious felonies such as murder, rape, and misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary have no time limit.<\/p>\r\n

Computer crimes, violations of state election laws, and most misdemeanor offenses have a three-year statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

Driver’s license violations and neglect of a vulnerable adult have a one-year statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n