Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

statute of limitations in california

If a person stole some money from their employer over 15 years ago, could they still be criminally charged?


Asked on 1/27/08, 12:32 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Eric Alford Law Office of Eric K. Alford

Re: statute of limitations in california

There are indeed time limitations regarding embezzlement as Mr. Hoffman states, and they depend upon the nature of the property and from whom it was taken. Your posting stated simply "employer" and "criminally charged." My "yes" answer was worst case scenario for embezzlement of public monies and other like offenses, where the statute would not start to run until the discovery of the offense. If this is not your case, I obviously digress.

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Answered on 1/31/08, 2:43 pm
Eric Alford Law Office of Eric K. Alford

Re: statute of limitations in california

Yes. The statute of limitations (for the most part) only applies after you have been charged with the crime, not from the time the crime was committed. You've seen those crime shows where the police finally figure out a crime years later and make the arrest. Same thing.

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Answered on 1/27/08, 12:54 am
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: statute of limitations in california

Mr. Alford is wrong. The statute of limitations governs how much time may pass *before* charges are filed, not after. I have no idea what he believes must happen before the limitations period expires if he thinks the filing of charges is what starts it.

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Answered on 1/27/08, 7:12 pm


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