When does the statute of limitations begin in criminal cases?

When does the statute of limitations begin in criminal cases?

• A. The day the offense is committed
• B. The date of arrest
• C. The date the case is filed
• D. The date of the offense's discovery

Answer: (A)

The clock for a criminal statute of limitations starts on the day the offense is committed. This is when the illegal act occurs and the evidence of the crime exists, giving the state the right to prosecute. The timing isn’t tied to arrest, when charges are filed, or when the crime is discovered. While there are tolling rules that can pause the countdown in certain situations, the default rule is that prosecution must begin within a set period from the moment the offense occurs.

The clock for a criminal statute of limitations starts on the day the offense is committed. This is when the illegal act occurs and the evidence of the crime exists, giving the state the right to prosecute. The timing isn’t tied to arrest, when charges are filed, or when the crime is discovered. While there are tolling rules that can pause the countdown in certain situations, the default rule is that prosecution must begin within a set period from the moment the offense occurs.