{"id":374359,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:43","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:52:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:52:48","slug":"mississippi-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mississippi Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, 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

Every jurisdiction restricts how long the state can prosecute a defendant for a crime. These time limits are statutes of limitations<\/a>. These laws ensure that a prosecutor (or plaintiff) can’t file a legal case based on stale evidence or witness testimony.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll discuss the limitations period for significant crimes in Mississippi. We will also explain what happens if the state fails to file a criminal case within the statute of limitations period.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re facing criminal charges and think the state is charging you with an alleged crime beyond the limitations period, contact a criminal law attorney<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\r\n

Mississippi Criminal Statutes of Limitations at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Mississippi’s criminal statute of limitations<\/a> says how long a prosecutor has to pursue criminal charges against a defendant. Most misdemeanors have a two-year statute of limitations in Mississippi. Serious felonies, like rape and murder, have no statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

The following table lists the criminal statute of limitations<\/a> in the state of Mississippi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code section<\/th>\r\n

Mississippi Code Section 99-1-5: Time Limitations<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Felonies<\/th>\r\n

The following crimes have no statute of limitation:<\/p>\r\n

Misdemeanors<\/th>\r\n

Two years<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Tolling of statute of limitations<\/th>\r\n
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  • The suspect is absent from the state or evades law enforcement<\/li>\r\n
  • The authorities can’t serve process on the suspect<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Other<\/th>\r\n

If the state loses, destroys, quashes, or stops an indictment<\/a>, the courts will add another year to the period of time in which the prosecutor can file charges. (Miss. Code \u00a799-1-9<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Disclaimer<\/b>: State laws are always subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a criminal law attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Hire a Mississippi Criminal Defense Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Mississippi’s criminal statute of limitations laws regulate how long the prosecutor has to pursue criminal charges against a defendant. If you\u2019re facing charges and think the state has missed its filing deadline, contact an experienced Mississippi criminal defense attorney<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\r\n

Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n