{"id":374994,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:04:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:04:24","slug":"new-jersey-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey 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

Under New Jersey law, prosecutors must file criminal charges against suspects within a certain time period. This statute of limitations<\/a> protects the defendant’s right to a speedy trial. It ensures the prosecution brings a case while evidence is available and witness memories are fresh.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey has criminal and civil statutes of limitations<\/a>. Civil statutes of limitation determine how long plaintiffs have to file civil cases, such as personal injury lawsuits.<\/p>\r\n

In New Jersey, there is no statute of limitations for murder<\/a> or manslaughter. That means prosecutors may file charges for these two offenses regardless of the date of the offense.<\/p>\r\n

If someone has accused you of a crime, hire a criminal defense attorney<\/a> right away.<\/p>\r\n

Other serious felonies, like kidnapping<\/a> and sexual assault, also have no time limits. Most indictable crimes have a five-year statute of limitations. A few offenses, like official misconduct, have a seven-year limitation period.<\/p>\r\n

When children under 18 are victims of sexual assault<\/a>, criminal sexual assault, or endangering the welfare of children, the state has five years after the victim turns 18 to prosecute the crime.<\/p>\r\n

In New Jersey, the state has one year to file charges for misdemeanors or disorderly persons offenses.<\/p>\r\n

Learn more about New Jersey’s criminal statute of limitations in the following table. See Time Limits for Charges: State Criminal Statutes of Limitations<\/a> for a general overview.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey Criminal Statutes of Limitation<\/h2>\r\n

Code sections:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

N.J.S.2C:1-6<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Felonies\/indictable offenses:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

In New Jersey, a felony is known as an "indictable offense<\/a>." These are serious offenses with long prison sentences. The limitations period for indictable offenses is longer, so prosecutors have time to develop their case.<\/p>\r\n

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