Skip to main content
Please enter a legal issue and/or a location
Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select

Kansas Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws

Each state has a “statute of limitations" or law that limits when you can have criminal charges brought against you for something illegal that you are accused of doing. The time limit is different depending on the severity of the crime and sometimes depending on who is the victim. Some crimes have no time limit for bringing a case, usually because of their extremely violent nature.

Kansas Criminal Statute of Limitations: Overview

Kansas' criminal statute of limitations is outlined in the chart below.

State Kansas
Topic Criminal statute of limitations
Definition A statute of limitations tells you the time frame when the prosecution must bring a charge for a crime.
Code Sections Kansas Statutes section 21-5107
Felonies The time limit for felonies varies by the type of crime, as follows:
  • There is no time limit for murder, terrorism, use of weapons of mass destruction, rape, and aggravated criminal sodomy.
  • If the victim of any crime is the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), the case must be started within 10 years.
  • The time limit for the following sexually violent crimes depends on the age of the victim: rape (before the 2014 changes to the law), any indecent liberties with a child, any criminal sodomy, indecent solicitation of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated incest, aggravated human trafficking if for sexual purposes, and commercial exploitation of a child.
    • For victims 18 years or older, the case must be started within 10 years of the crime or within 1 year of the discovery of DNA evidence establishing the offender's identity, whichever is later.
    • For victims under 18, within 10 years of the victim's 18th birthday or within 1 year of the discovery of DNA evidence establishing the offender's identity, whichever is later.
  • For all other felonies, the case must be started within 5 years.
Misdemeanors For all misdemeanors, the case must be started within 5 years.
Crimes in Which a Child Is a Victim
  • If a child is the victim of a sexually violent crime, the case must be started within 10 years of the victim's 18th birthday or within 1 year of the discovery of DNA evidence establishing the offender's identity, whichever is later.
  • If the statute of limitations for a crime against a child victim stopped because of the factors described in the next section of this chart, the case must be started before the victim turns 28.
Acts During Which Statute Does Not Run The statute of limitations does not run during any of the following:
  • When you are absent from the state or hiding within the state.
  • The fact that the crime has been committed is concealed.
  • When there is substantial evidence that two of the following factors exist: the victim was under 15 when the crime happened; the victim did not understand the acts were a crime, due to her age or intelligence; the victim was prevented by a parent or other legal authority from telling the police about the crime; or an expert witness testifies that the victim has repressed memories about the crime, and there's corroborating evidence. In these situations, a case must be started before the victim turns 28.
  • When a case is pending against you for the same crime.
  • A court order prevents an administrative agency from investigating or proceeding on criminal conduct.
Other A case starts for the purposes of the statute of limitations when a complaint or information has been filed or an indictment by grand jury returned and a warrant has been issued. However, if the warrant isn't executed, the prosecution isn't deemed to have started.

Note: State laws change constantly, so it's important to verify these state criminal laws by conducting your own legal research or contacting an experienced Kansas criminal defense lawyer.

Research the Law

Related Resources

Charged With a Crime in Kansas? Contact a Defense Attorney

Have you been charged with a crime? Are you worried that you might be? If you're concerned about criminal charges, an experienced Kansas criminal defense attorney can help you figure out what to do next.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.

Or contact an attorney near you:

Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney

Contact a qualified attorney.

Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select

Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?

  • Complex criminal defense situations usually require a lawyer
  • Defense attorneys can help protect your rights
  • A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties

Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many Kansas attorneys offer free consultations.

 

 If you need an attorney, find one right now.

Copied to clipboard

Find a Lawyer

More Options