i heard for some crimes you have a certain amount of time to be tried or else the case is dismissed?

Question

someone told me that 4 sum crimes there is a certain amount of time people have 2 get caught or else it never goes to court is this true????

Answer 1

check with a lawyer for any legal issues you or others may be concerned about-

but most jurisdictions set time limits for trying a case; for example, a misdemeanor may have to be tried within six months of the time it is reported to the police, and a felony within 5 years. There are often exceptions for serious crimes like murder and offenses committed on young children. The exact laws differ from one jurisdiction to another

Answer 2

That is the statute of limitations, meaning the district attorney has X number of years to file charges (from the date of the offense), otherwise charges cannot be filed.

This is designed to ensure that justice can be meted out in a reasonable time frame as measured from the date of the offense. Also, as time passes, cases become more and more difficult to prosecute, because witness disappear (or die), evidence becomes lost or degraded, etc. Prosecutors don't want to have to make hard cases on crimes (except for murder and serious felonies) so long after the crime has been committed, because the chance of conviction is severely diminished.

Answer 3

You're confusing "Due Process" with "Statute of Limitations". For some crimes, usually minor misdemeanors, there is a period of time that the charges must be filed by to prosecute. This period is the "Statute of Limitations" and it varies from state to state and from offense to offense. Once charged, however, there is a specific amount of time when the accused must be brought to trial to hear the charges formally against him/her and to face his/her accuser. This period is part of the "Due Process" clause in the Bill of Rights which prohibits keeping anyone accused of a crime locked away indefinitely without trial.

Answer 4

Yes, that is true for most crimes. It is called a Statute of Limitations. Usually it is 7 to 10 years. However, there is no Statute of Limitations for Murder. Some states have no SoL for rape, child molestation, etc. (more states are moving to that approach).

Answer 5

It's called statue of limitations. In our legal system, there are a set number of years to charge or prosecute for a crime. There are always exceptions, and the length is dependent upon different factors, such as the type of crime and where the crime took place.

Answer 6

ya its called the statute of limitations