Minnesota Statutes of Limitations

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

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Last reviewed February 19, 2025

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Whether you’re dealing with a civil or criminal case, the law limits how long you must begin your legal action. We call these laws statutes of limitations. For instance, Minnesota’s criminal statute of limitation laws say how long prosecutors have to file criminal charges against a suspect. These time limits typically depend on the severity of the crime.

The Minnesota civil statutes of limitations laws specify how long injured parties have to file a personal injury, medical malpractice, or workers’ compensation claim.

If you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit or fear the state intends to pursue criminal charges against you, you should get to know about the Minnesota statutes of limitation.

Here, we’ll briefly discuss both statutes of limitations and offer links to helpful articles on these topics.

Overview

Legislators in Minnesota (and every other state) impose time limits on civil and criminal actions. If the plaintiff (or prosecutor) fails to pursue their action before the statute of limitations period expires, the court will dismiss their case.

Minn Stat. § 541.02, et seq. govern Minnesota’s civil period of limitations.
Minn. Stat. Ann. Section 628.26 dictates how long prosecutors must pursue criminal charges against would-be defendants.

Criminal statutes of limitations can vary based on the severity of the crime. For example, misdemeanors have a three-year limitation period, while felonies have a much longer period of time.

Learn About Minnesota Statutes of Limitations

Minnesota Civil Statute of Limitations Laws

This article discusses the statute of limitation periods for various torts, including personal injury, wrongful death, false imprisonment, personal property damage, and other causes of action.

Minnesota Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws

This article covers the time limits for a variety of felonies and misdemeanors, including identity theft, sexual assault, and other serious crimes.

How Can a Minnesota Attorney Help?

The state laws about filing deadlines apply whether you live in St. Paul or the Minnesota suburbs. If you have questions about the statutes of limitations in Minnesota, you should contact a local personal injury attorney for legal advice sooner rather than later. They can ensure you file your civil claim on time and fight to get you the damages you deserve.

If criminal charges are pending against you, contacting a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer is in your best interests. They’ll help craft a solid defense and ensure the prosecutor doesn’t pursue charges beyond the statute of limitations period.