State Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws

Learn about your state's laws by using the links below.

By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed May 28, 2025

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Every state has laws called statutes of limitations that dictate how long a person has to pursue legal action. Civil statutes of limitation impose filing deadlines on people filing personal injury lawsuits. Criminal statutes of limitation require the prosecutor to file criminal charges within a specific amount of time.

Criminal statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of crime a person commits. For example, when it comes to murder, there is no statute of limitations. The government can file charges a year or a decade after a person commits a homicide.

For rape or sexual assault, the statute of limitations ranges anywhere from three to 30 years, depending on where you live.

This article provides links to the statute of limitations laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It also offers immediate access to FindLaw resources on crimes and related topics.

If you have questions about your criminal case, it’s a good idea to consult a local criminal defense attorney. Don’t wait too long because the state may already be building its case against you.

How Long Are Most Criminal Statutes of Limitation?

As you might imagine, statutes of limitations are longer for serious crimes like arson and manslaughter than they are for less serious offenses.

For example, there is a five-year statute of limitations for most robbery cases, whereas the statute of limitations for most third-degree manslaughter cases is closer to ten years.

The crimes that have no time limit or an extended statute of limitations period include serious offenses such as:

  • Violent crimes
  • Sex crimes such as violent sexual assault
  • Sexual abuse of a victim under 13 years of age
  • Child molestation and sexual conduct with a minor

Browse State Criminal Law by Topics

An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s a good idea to consult a seasoned criminal defense attorney. They’ll work hard to secure an acquittal or, at a minimum, negotiate a favorable plea deal. Even if the state has filed misdemeanor charges against you, there may still be severe consequences. You may not want to face it alone with so much at stake.

Links to State Criminal Statutes of Limitation

Choose from the list below for state-specific criminal statute of limitations periods, including time limits for prosecuting felonies and misdemeanors:

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