What is the Statute of Limitations on federal crimes?

In Washington, the Statute of Limitations on federal crimes is generally five years from the time the alleged crime occurred. The time limit for federal crimes varies from one offense to another. For instance, more serious crimes such as murder have no Statute of Limitation, meaning that charges can be filed at any time. Other crimes, such as fraud or tax evasion, have a limit of six years. The purpose of a Statute of Limitations is to ensure that criminal proceedings are brought within a reasonable period of time so that evidence is still fresh and the crime can be adequately investigated. If the Statute of Limitations has expired, the alleged offender cannot be charged, no matter how strong the evidence may be. In some cases, the Statute of Limitations can also be extended. For example, if the alleged offender has left the state, the time limit may be “tolled”, or suspended, until the offender is found and brought back to the state. Additionally, if the crime was committed against children, the Statute of Limitations may be much longer than five years. Overall, the Statute of Limitations for federal crimes in Washington is five years, but this can be extended under certain circumstances. It is important to understand the Statute of Limitations for any type of criminal offense before making a decision about whether to prosecute.

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What is the Statute of Limitations on federal crimes?

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