Is there a statute of limitations for a violent crime?

Yes, there is a statute of limitations for violent crimes in the state of Washington. This means that certain crimes may not be prosecuted if they are not brought to the court’s attention within a certain period of time. In Washington, all first-degree felonies and Class A felonies have no statute of limitations, meaning they can be prosecuted at any time. Other felonies have a three year statute of limitations, unless the statute in question specifically states otherwise. Violent misdemeanors, such as second degree assault, have a three year statute of limitations. For domestic violence, the statute of limitations may be expanded by 1 year if the victim was a family or household member, or if certain aggravating circumstances were present in the case. In cases of human trafficking, kidnapping, arson, and sexual exploitation, the statute of limitations is extended to 10 years from the date of the offense or from when the person turns 18, whichever is later. For juveniles, the statute of limitations for violent offenses is three years, or until the juvenile turns 21, whichever is later. It is important to note that in some cases, the statute of limitations for violent crimes can be suspended or stopped. This means that if the identity of the perpetrator is unknown, the statute of limitations will not begin to run until the perpetrator is identified. Additionally, a criminal complaint can also toll the statute of limitations, meaning the time limit will be stopped until the complaint is resolved.

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Is there a statute of limitations for a violent crime?

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