Maine Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by William J. Collinson | Last reviewed October 08, 2020
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Every state has laws imposing time limits in which to bring a case, called the “statute of limitations,” in both civil and criminal cases. Criminal statutes of limitations limit when a formal criminal charge can be brought against a defendant.
The goal of these time limits is to ensure that evidence is fresh and that individuals don’t have to fear prosecution for minor crimes, like shoplifting, indefinitely. Typically, the statute of limitations varies by the type of crime. There are also no time limits in most states for serious crimes like murder, including in Maine.
Maine Criminal Statute of Limitations Statute
The following table briefly explains the criminal statute of limitations in Maine.
| State | Maine |
|---|---|
| Topic | Criminal Statute of Limitations |
| Definition | The length of time for which prosecution proceedings can be commenced for a crime. |
| Code Section | Section 8 |
| Felonies |
|
| Misdemeanors |
|
| Crimes in Which a Child Is a Victim |
|
| Acts During Which Statute Does Not Run |
|
| Other |
|
Note: State laws change all the time. Please contact a knowledgeable attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify these state criminal laws.
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