Nevada Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws

If you commit a crime in Nevada, the state only has a certain amount of time to file criminal charges against you. If they don’t meet the criminal statute of limitations deadline, they’ll lose the chance to charge you with a criminal offense.

It’s no different than a personal injury case. If a plaintiff doesn’t file their civil lawsuit before the statute of limitations period expires, they’ll lose their opportunity to sue the other party.

Under state law, there are different statutes of limitations for different crimes. For example, Nevada law imposes a three-year time limit for filing charges for most criminal acts. However, the statute of limitations period for some crimes is four years. These include:

• Theft
• Robbery
• Arson
• Burglary
• Forgery

When it comes to the most serious crimes, such as murder, there is no statute of limitations. The attorney’s office can charge you with murder, sexual assault, or terrorism at any point, even 50 or 60 years after the fact.

This article discusses Nevada’s statute of limitations for felonies and some misdemeanors. If you’re facing charges for an alleged crime, you should know how the deadlines for criminal prosecution work. The state can't charge you after the statute period is over. If they try to do so, consider consulting an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Why Does Nevada Law Have Criminal Statutes of Limitations?

Statutes of limitations ensure that juries and judges base their decisions on fresh evidence. Testimonial evidence such as eyewitness accounts and physical evidence that includes fingerprints and DNA can fade over time. There’s also the chance that the prosecutor could lose valuable evidence over the years. This is why it's better to conduct a criminal trial as soon after an incident as possible.

Longer statutes of limitations balance the state’s interest in fair trials with the seriousness of the offense. Criminals should not avoid the consequences of serious crimes by hiding out or evading the authorities. At the same time, the state shouldn’t be able to wait to commence legal action until they have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

Criminal Statutes of Limitations in Nevada

Nevada laws govern the state’s time limits for prosecuting a crime. The statute of limitations period can range from a one-year time limit to no time limit.

The chart below lists specific filing deadlines for various crimes in the State of Nevada.

Facing Questions Involving Criminal Statutes of Limitations? A Nevada Criminal Law Attorney Can Help

Any criminal charge is a serious matter, and criminal statutes vary depending on your jurisdiction and the crime you commit. Contact a Nevada criminal defense attorney in your area to discuss your case if you're facing criminal charges.