Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Re: Statute of limitations

Unfortunately, the statute of limitations was tolled (stopped from running) at the time you left the state of Florida. In order for the statute to run you must remain within the jurisdiction of the state and maintain a residence or have had a known address/location to which the State has a duty to find you. But if you leave, the State's job is made much eaiser, in that they are not required to do a "diligent search" if you are not in the state. I'm afraid that defense is probably gone.

However, since some time has past it will make it more difficult for the State to prove its case, and more than likely the prosecutor would cut you a deal if you were to face up to the crimes. I would advise that you hire a criminal defense attorney to sort through the case before you decide to turn yourself in.... GOOD LUCK.