If I wanted to report a crime I've known about for three years (it happened 3 years ago) can I?
2007-08-20 08:13:22 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Howdy,
Yes, you can certainly report it. Whether or not the powers-that-be investigate and prosecute the crime is another story.
According to the Cleveland Law Library Association, "every state has its own time limits." The Ohio State Bar Association writes that common time limits for beginning civil cases are -- "21 years to recover real estate; 15 years to sue on written contracts; six years to sue on oral contracts; two years for actions for personal injuries or property damage; and one year for libel, slander, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, and professional malpractice."
The legal system is a hugely complicated beast (hence the zillions of lawyers). According to an article on MSNBC, "statutes of limitations vary widely by state." I'd suggest discussing your options with a legal expert.
Mike
2007-08-21 13:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by Ask Mike 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-06-10 08:11:24 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I only can tell you, be carefull and ask legal advice before.
I will explain it to you from the German law. It depends on the crime. If it is stealing, betraying etc. there will be no problem. If it is severe crime like murder, illegal tax redumption ( sorry, my English) were you have to report, you get problems with the "Staatsanwalt" (crime lord, attorney of state) and you might have holydays for some years. You have a problem, if you don't report now and the Staatsanwalt comes to know that you did know it and didn't report, you will have a little bit more holidays. It depends on the crime.
It is the German point of view, but in all civilzed nations it does not differ a lot.
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany
Heinz
2007-08-20 08:37:52 · answer #3 · answered by pinata 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why are you going to report it now? has this person decided not to be friends with you anymore or has this person broken off a romantic relationship with you, by all means report the crime if it is serious but in the future you should weigh your moral obligation to the victim sooner than three years later.
2007-08-20 08:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by troyboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course, though depending on the crime, the statute of limitations may prevent the criminal from being prosecuted.
You will, of course, end up being asked WHY you waited to report it now.
2007-08-20 08:15:58 · answer #5 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can report it. The statute of limitations would dictate whether the police and prosecutors can do anything about it.
Most serious crimes have either no statute of limitations or a very long one.
2007-08-20 08:18:25 · answer #6 · answered by elysialaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the crime. You can report anything. Whether something is done about it or not is different.
2007-08-20 08:17:36 · answer #7 · answered by wfsgymwear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can, yes. But why have you kept it a secret? Also the statute of limitations may have run out depending on the crime.
2007-08-20 08:16:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and report it, its up to the District Attorney to decide whether to bring charges or not and whether the statute of limitations has.
2007-08-20 08:18:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Like everybody else answered, it depends on the crime! Expessially if the culprate is still having officials after him/her!
2007-08-20 08:20:00 · answer #10 · answered by AJ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋