Georgia Statutes of Limitations
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Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed November 15, 2024
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Understanding the statutes of limitations under Georgia law is crucial for anyone involved in legal action. This is true whether you're a plaintiff or defendant. These laws dictate the time frame to file a lawsuit or face prosecution for a crime in the state of Georgia. Different types of cases have varying time limits. These time limits can significantly impact the outcome of a legal matter.
What Is a Statute of Limitation?
State and federal courts have time limits for filing a civil lawsuit or formal criminal charges. These limits are to ensure the integrity of evidence. They also help prevent people from threatening lawsuits indefinitely. According to state laws, these time limits are statutes of limitations and typically differ by type of civil claim or criminal charge. The limitations period establishes the amount of time a person has to start legal action. In some cases, factors such as tolling may extend this period. There are also certain instances where no statute of limitations allows for indefinite prosecution or civil claims.
Georgia Civil Statutes of Limitations
The statute of limitations in a civil case defines the time period in which a lawsuit must be filed. Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, wrongful death actions, fraud, and medical malpractice claims. But claims related to personal property, trespassing, and debt collection have a four-year limit. Product liability cases also fall under these time frames.
To learn more about the specifics of statutes of limitations for Georgia civil cases, visit FindLaw's Georgia Civil Statutes of Limitations.
Georgia Criminal Statutes of Limitations
Georgia prosecutors have a time limit to file formal charges against defendants in a criminal case. For Georgia criminal charges, there is no limit for murder, but there is a two-year statute of limitations for misdemeanors. Certain serious offenses, such as child molestation and armed robbery, may have different time frames depending on the circumstances. This is especially true if there is DNA evidence. In some cases, discovering new evidence can affect the statute of limitations. It's also important to note that serious felonies like false imprisonment may also be subject to varying time limits.
To learn more about Georgia's statute of limitations for felonies and misdemeanors, visit FindLaw's Georgia Criminal Statute of Limitations.
Get Legal Advice From a Georgia Attorney Today
Knowing how Georgia statutes of limitations apply to your case is important. If you miss the deadline, your claim can be time-barred. A Georgia personal injury attorney can help you determine when your cause of action started and whether any rules, like tolling, apply to extend your time.