{"id":375865,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-05T13:15:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T18:15:41","slug":"oregon-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Oregon Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oregon Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, 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 imposes time limits for prosecutors to bring a criminal case, known as the criminal statute of limitations. In the case of the Oregon statute of limitations<\/a>, the time frame for bringing charges depends on the type of crime. The "clock" generally starts running at the point the crime is committed, but certain conditions, such as the suspect being out of state or in hiding, may extend the amount of time prosecutors have to file charges. While the time frame varies by crime and state<\/a>, the most serious charges, like murder, typically have no statute of limitations at all.<\/p>\r\n

Once the statute of limitations has expired, the perpetrator can no longer be charged for the alleged crime. The clock generally does not run, or "toll," if the criminal is out of state or in hiding, which would indicate an attempt to evade prosecution.<\/p>\r\n

Oregon’s Criminal Statute of Limitations at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

As in most other states, Oregon law does not impose time limits for the prosecution of murder<\/a> or manslaughter<\/a> charges. There is a six-year statute of limitations for sexual felonies or crimes in which the victim is under 18 at the time of the offense. There is a three-year limit for all other felonies and a two-year limit for most misdemeanors in the state.<\/p>\r\n

Additional details are listed below. See FindLaw’s Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations<\/a> article to learn about similar time limits used in civil law.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Definition of a Criminal Statute of Limitations Under Oregon Law<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

The criminal statute of limitations is a time limit the state has for prosecuting a crime. Under Oregon law, the statute of limitations depends on the severity of the crime you face, ranging from six months to no time limit.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Oregon Criminal Statute of Limitations Code Sections<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Oregon Criminal Statutes of Limitations for Felonies<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Aggravated murder<\/u>: No time limit<\/li>\r\n
  • Murder<\/u>: No time limit<\/li>\r\n
  • Attempted murder or aggravated murder<\/u>: No time limit<\/li>\r\n
  • Conspiracy\/solicitation to commit aggravated murder or murder or any degree of manslaughter<\/u>: No time limit<\/li>\r\n
  • Rape in the first degree<\/u>: 12 years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Sodomy in the first degree<\/u>: 12 years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree<\/u>: 12 years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Sexual abuse in the first degree<\/u>: 12 years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Strangulation<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Criminal mistreatment in the first degree<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Rape in the second or third degree<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Sodomy in the second or third degree<\/u>: Sixyears after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Sexual abuse in the second degree<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Using a child in a display of sexual conduct<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Incest<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Promoting or compelling prostitution<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Luring a minor<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Sexual abuse in the third degree<\/u>: Four years after the crime occurred, or four years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 22 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Exhibiting an obscene performance to a minor<\/u>: Four years after the crime occurred, or four years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 22 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Displaying obscene materials to minors<\/u>: Four years after the crime occurred, or four years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 22 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Arson<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Theft in the first degree<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Aggravated theft in the first degree<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Extortion<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Robbery in the first-, second-, or third-degree<\/u>: Six years  <\/li>\r\n
  • Forgery in the first degree<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Fraudulent use of a credit card<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Identity theft<\/u>: Six years<\/li>\r\n
  • Any other felony<\/u>: Three years<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Oregon Criminal Statutes of Limitations for Misdemeanors<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

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  • For any misdemeanor<\/u>: Two years<\/li>\r\n
  • For a violation<\/u>: Six months<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Crimes in Which a Child Is a Victim<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

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  • Using a child in a display of sexual conduct<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Incest<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Luring a minor<\/u>: Six years after the crime occurred, or 12 years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 30 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Exhibiting an obscene performance to a minor<\/u>: Four years after the crime occurred, or four years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 22 years of age<\/li>\r\n
  • Displaying obscene materials to minors<\/u>: Four years after the crime occurred, or four years after the offense is first reported to law enforcement, or if the victim was under 18 years of age, anytime before the victim turns 22 years of age<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Acts During Which Statute Does Not Run in Oregon<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

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  • Accused is not a resident within the state<\/li>\r\n
  • Accused hides within the state to prevent process from being served upon accused<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    The maximum extension of the period of limitations is three years.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Other Oregon Criminal Statutes of Limitations<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

If the statute of limitations for any other felony, misdemeanor, or violation has expired, a prosecution may still be commenced if:<\/p>\r\n