{"id":376732,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/utah-law\/utah-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-28T17:13:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T22:13:59","slug":"utah-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Utah 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

Every crime has a time limit on how long criminal prosecutors have to file charges and possibly conduct a trial based on evidence gathered by the police. These time limits vary depending on the type of crime, and prosecutors have more time to file serious felony charges<\/a> than for less serious misdemeanor charges<\/a>. This is an introduction to criminal statutes of limitations laws in Utah.<\/p>\r\n

If someone has charged you with a crime, hire a criminal defense lawyer<\/a> right away.<\/p>\r\n

When Does a Statute of Limitations Begin?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Statutes of limitations try to ensure timely criminal trials<\/a> that are fair and based on the best possible evidence. Because physical evidence of a crime (like fingerprints and DNA) and testimonial evidence (like officer statements and eyewitness accounts) can degrade or disappear over time, the sooner the evidence can appear at trial, the better. Statutes of limitations encourage prosecutors to bring cases to trial sooner rather than later.<\/p>\r\n

Under most state laws, the statutory clock on criminal charges runs while the alleged perpetrator remains in the state where the crime happened. If the suspect is outside the state, the clock will pause, then resume when the suspect reenters the state. This is to prevent criminals from avoiding prosecution for serious crimes<\/a> by running, hiding, and trying to wait out the authorities.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal Statutes of Limitation in Utah<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The table below lists Utah’s criminal statutes of limitations and the time limits associated with each crime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code sections<\/th>\r\n

Utah Code 76-1-301, et seq.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Felonies<\/th>\r\n
Misdemeanors<\/th>\r\n
    \r\n
  • Any misdemeanor other than negligent homicide: Two years.<\/li>\r\n
  • Any infractions: One year.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Crimes against children<\/th>\r\n
Acts during which statute does not run<\/th>\r\n

Statute of limitations does not run against a defendant when out of state.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Other<\/th>\r\n

Prosecution of violent felonies according to 76-3-203.5(1)(c)(i)(A)<\/a> through (BB)<\/a> have no time limit if the identity of the person who committed the crime is unknown but DNA evidence is collected that would identify the person at a later date.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n


\r\nNote: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Get Legal Advice on Utah’s Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Any criminal charge is a serious matter. If you need legal help with a criminal charge, hire a Utah criminal defense attorney<\/a>. You can also find more articles and information by visiting FindLaw’s section on Criminal Law Basics<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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