Introduction
The Statute of Limitations is a type of law that sets the maximum amount of time that parties have to initiate civil or criminal legal proceedings after an injury. This law is in place so that disputes can be resolved quickly after they begin, witness testimony is more accurate, and evidence isn’t lost. The statute of limitations begins on the date that the injury was caused.
The time limit that is imposed on people who might take legal action against another is also for the protection of the defendant. That way, for example, someone who’s either committed a wrongful act or has been the victim of such an act won’t have to worry about it for the rest of their lives. They will only have to wait a specific number of years before finding a legal resolution to the issue at hand. In that way, the statute of limitations is a very practical law.
All 50 states, and the District of Columbia, normally limit the time in which a person can bring legal proceedings for written contracts against another from 3—10 years maximum, depending on the state.
However, there are exceptions. For instance, Capital Offenses that are punishable by death can be filed at any time. Other exceptions include, but are not limited to, terrorism offenses, racketeering, theft of a major artwork, arson, violating citizenship of passport laws, and restricted data offenses.
Learn more about states’ application of the Statutes of Limitations by scrolling through the data in the charts.
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