Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
statute of limitations
Does the statute of limitations clock start when the alleged offense occured or when discovered?
And where does one find the prevailing statute for a given era? (1986-87)
Asked on 6/30/03, 11:37 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson
Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law
Re: statute of limitations
The statute of limitations normally starts to run on the date of the offense. There are exceptions to his rule, for fraud and other such crimes in which discovery may be delayed by the act of the perpetrator. There may also be an issue of the violation of the right to a speedy trial.
To find the statute of limitations look in the annotated section of Wests or other law book. Be cautious as some statutes of limitations have been extended for some crimes, particularly sex crimes.
Answered on 6/30/03, 11:09 pm