New Hampshire Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws

By Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed March 07, 2025

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State prosecutors have time limits for bringing criminal charges, known as the criminal statute of limitations. The "clock" typically begins running at the point the crime happens and gets paused when a suspect is living out of state, under the age of majority, or making efforts to evade law enforcement (such as living under an assumed identity).

Statutes of limitation help preserve the integrity of evidence, including witness testimony, and generally maintain greater efficiency in the criminal justice system. There are usually no time limits for murder or other serious felonies.

New Hampshire Criminal Statutes of Limitations at a Glance

The state of New Hampshire imposes a one-year statute of limitations for all misdemeanors (three months for violations), while there are a few different time limits for felony charges in the state. As in other states, there is no time limit for murder. For sexual assault of victims under 18, the statute of limitations runs until the victim is 40 years old (within 22 years of the victim's 18th birthday).

More details of New Hampshire's time limits for criminal cases are below. See Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations to learn about similar time limits used in civil law.

Code section

Title LXII Criminal Code Section 625:8
Felonies
  • Murder: no time limit
  • Trafficking in persons: 20 years
  • Class A or B felony or unemployment compensation offense: six years
  • Offense of hunting game or fur-bearing animals or violation of off-highway recreational vehicles: three years
  • Breach of fiduciary duty; destruction or falsification of evidence, witness tampering, unlawful conduct delaying discovery of the offense: within one year of offense
  • Official misconduct: within two years of offense
  • Violation of rule or regulation of the state fire marshal: one year
Misdemeanors
  • Misdemeanors: one year
  • Violations: three months
  • Violation-level offense involving a motor vehicle accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury: six months
Crimes against children

Sexual assault and related offenses when victim is under 18: within 22 years of victim's 18th birthday
Acts during which statute does not run
  • Absent state, no residence or work in state
  • Prosecution pending for same conduct
Other

Perjury, false swearing, unsworn falsification, proving law enforcement false reports, tampering with witnesses and informants, falsifying evidence, tampering with public records (if any committed with the purpose to help in or conceal a murder, or to conceal or hinder the investigation or apprehension): ​none

Note: State laws are always subject to change through higher court decisions, the enactment of newly signed legislation, and other means. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you may also want to contact a New Hampshire criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Get Legal Advice on New Hampshire's Criminal Statutes of Limitations

Under New Hampshire law, the criminal statutes of limitations establish how long prosecutors have to file charges for various offenses. Consult a criminal defense lawyer experienced in New Hampshire law is essential. They can protect your rights.

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