{"id":376374,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:45","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-03-13T08:41:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T13:41:40","slug":"statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"State Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n State Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n Most states have time limits for starting a legal cases after a crime. Some time limits only apply to certain types of crimes.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\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 state has a set of laws called statutes of limitations. These laws limit the time a plaintiff has to file a personal injury claim<\/a> and the time a prosecutor can file criminal charges against an alleged offender.<\/p>\r\n

The problem is that the civil and criminal statutes of limitations<\/a> vary from state to state. This makes it difficult to confirm how much time you have to file your cause of action. The last thing you want to do is wait too long to file your lawsuit and lose your chance to recover damages.<\/p>\r\n

If you don\u2019t file your case within the statutory period of time, the court will dismiss your case. The same is true with criminal cases. If the prosecutor fails to pursue charges within the statute of limitations period, the court will deem it time-barred<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we break down the state-specific statutes of limitations for civil and criminal law. Click on your state from the list below, and you\u2019ll see the FindLaw page for your state. You can also contact a local criminal defense lawyer or personal injury attorney<\/a> for help.<\/p>\r\n

State-Specific Statutes of Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Select your state from the list below for state-specific statute of limitations laws. FindLaw\u2019s state-specific articles identify the time limits for filing different civil actions<\/a> and criminal cases in your state.<\/p>\r\n\n

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