Does anyone know if there is a certain amount of time you have before you can press charges against someone?

Question

A family friend reached under my shirt about 2.5 months ago and grabbed a breast. I am wanting to file a complaint but not exactly wanting charges against him yet?

Answer 1

If you don't want to press charges, what is the point of filing a "compliant"? If you want nothing done, all you are doing is wasting the police departments time and money.

If you feel like you were violated and want him charged, by all means, make a report and lock him up! Otherwise, don't bother.

What you are asking about is the statute of limitations on filing criminal charges. Depending on the circumstances (your age, his age, ETC.), you probably have about three years to file a sexual battery charge.

Answer 2

Every state has a limitations of actions that determines the length of time that can pass between the criminal event and the time someone is arrested for the crime. Once you file a complaint with the police or sheriff's department, the clock begins retroactively from the time the crime occurs. The length of time varies depending on the severity of the crime. My question would be, why would you not report this to the police department if you feel that you have been violated? Family friend or not, you are probably not the first victim and probably won't be the last. At least you can speak for yourself. What about the other victims who can't?

Answer 3

You are still within the statute of limitations of most states, the severity of the offense can range from Class C Assault, to more serious offenses, depending on the circumstances (ie: if he used force to reach up into your shirt, if he drugged you to get into your shirt, if you put up resistance, or if you were both consentual of the situation at that time, in which case, if you let him back then, and now you're mad cause you found out that he also likes your friend or whatever, forget about it, like mentioned before, is there any reason why this went unreported for so long, lastly, go to the police make a report and see if can be possible to obtain a civil retstraining order, and to see if anything can be done on the criminal aspect.

Answer 4

What you are asking about is the statute of limitations. it varies somewhat from state to state. In Georgia the statutes are as follows:
2 years for misdemeanors
4 years for most felonies
7 years (I think) for rape of a girl under 15 yrs
No limit on Murder

Your situation would a misdemeanor in Georgia (Sexual Battery) and you would have a maximum of two years to charge the person who committed the crime. The intent of the statute has more to do with cases where the offender is not known and it takes time to identify him or her. In a case where the offender is known, as in your case, if you wait too long to press charges your reluctance could hamper your case, unless you have compelling reasons for delaying.

Generally speaking, if something is so offensive that you want someone arrested, you generally know it pretty soon after you realize that you are a victim.

Answer 5

you're insane to no longer document a robbery of that degree contained in the first position. It relies upon on the so-referred to as settlement. it would properly be considered as a settlement between you, which her lawyer might want to argue..yet I doubt it. It would not even sound like she would worry or might want to have sufficient money to get a lawyer. you want to write down the position you stay, and what precisely the paper said, who signed it etc. because some states actually have verbally binding agreements (inspite of the actual undeniable reality that I even do no longer comprehend how they argue it in court docket considering the fact that there is not any evidence) merely ignore about her until eventually the twenty seventh, do not press it, do not remind her, and sidestep her if choose be. continuously be out and close off your telephone - then at the same time as the twenty seventh comes you are able to get her precise like you should have executed contained in the first position. in case you mean morally incorrect, no. it isn't incorrect to finish that. You were attempting to be brilliant i think, yet you've rightly stated that being brilliant to criminals is over-rated and receives you nowhere and supplies no longer something except extra rigidity and them extra freedom. i do not comprehend why you gave her so long to pay. yet merely wait it out and observe what occurs. you would possibly want to a minimum of attempt. there is not any damage in attempting. The worst that could want to ensue is you get formally informed no.

Answer 6

There is usually a time limit to file battery charges (which is what you described). It depends on the jurisdiction and prosecutor whether or not charges are indeed warranted. But please be advised, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to prove your case, since you did not mention any physical evidence or if there were witnesses to the act, in your post.

Answer 7

Yeah, there is a limit that you probably aren't at yet, but how exactly did it take you two and a half months to realize that this guy grabbed your titty?

You probably should have phoned the cops right away... Waiting only makes it harder to prove your case.

Answer 8

sounds like to me if you haven't done anything about it now u should move on and stay away from whoever it is that violated you.beings its been a few months it sounds like games are being played. if that's the case 2 wrongs don't make it right. go get a restraining order.

Answer 9

The problem is that it could get dismissed. I would go to the cops and ask questions of them, as they would be doing the arresting.

Answer 10

Every State and jurisdiction is different ... but yes, there is a limit ... but I would seriously doubt that you have reached that limit.