Criminal Statutes of Limitations by State

Statutes of limitations are laws that set the maximum amount of time that can pass after a crime is committed before legal action is taken. Statutes may vary by state and crime, and once the time has expired, it is no longer possible to bring about legal action for that offense. Most states have statutes of limitations ranging from five (5) to ten (10) years. In addition, more and more states are beginning to adopt DNA Exceptions to their statutes of limitations, reflecting the increasing use of DNA evidence to identify perpetrators long after a crime has been committed.

If a significant amount of time has passed since the crime occurred, RAINN still strongly encourages reporting the crime to the police. It may be more difficult for the case to be prosecuted, especially if there is a lack of DNA evidence. However, reporting the crime may lead to an arrest, and thus help get another rapist off the streets.

Please click the links below to see the statute of limitations for your state.

Note: When you click a state link, a .pdf will be downloaded onto your computer.

Alabama	Kentucky	North Dakota
Alaska	Louisiana	Ohio
Arizona	Maine	Oklahoma
Arkansas	Maryland	Oregon
California	Massachusetts	Pennsylvania
Colorado	Michigan	Rhode Island
Connecticut	Minnesota	South Carolina
Delaware	Mississippi	South Dakota
District of Columbia	Missouri	Tennessee
Florida	Montana	Texas
Georgia	Nebraska	Utah
Hawaii	Nevada	Vermont
Idaho	New Hampshire	Virginia
Illinois	New Jersey	Washington
Indiana	New Mexico	West Virginia
Iowa	New York	Wisconsin
Kansas	North Carolina	Wyoming

For reprint permission, please contact Rachel Gandell at rachelg@rainn.org. Last updated: December 2009.

RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network) provides general information that is intended, but not guaranteed, to be correct and up-to-date. The information is not presented as a source of legal advice. You should not rely, for legal advice, on statements or representations made by RAINN. If you need legal advice upon which you intend to rely in the course of your legal affairs, consult a competent, independent attorney. RAINN does not assume any responsibility for actions or non-actions taken by people who have used this information, and no one shall be entitled to a claim for detrimental reliance on any information provided or expressed. RAINN does not endorse, guarantee or warranty the accuracy, reliability or thoroughness of any referenced information, product or service.