Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

1,000+ forgeries committed

Are there any exceptions to the Statute of Limitations?

I have original documents in my possession and located recorded county documents proving a mortgage loan officer committed over one thousand forgeries between 1995 and 2005. Ninety-five percent of the forgeries committed by this person are confirmed by the victims in each case.

I would like to know if there is any way possible this person could still be held accountable for each and every forgery count committed regardless of the three year ''Statute of Limitations'' having expired in all but five recently committed forgery counts.


Asked on 11/08/07, 5:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: 1,000+ forgeries committed

Call the police and the prosecutor's office and they can figure this all out for you.

To answer your question though: Whether they could be charged with the counts outside of the SOL is questionable. However, they can be held accountable in that the other acts might be admissible for proving them guilty of the five still within the SOL. Further, once convicted of any of the five, the other evidence can be used to gain a harsher sentence.

There is an exception to the SOL based on discovery--that is the crime wasn't known before and the SOL starts running, not from when the crime was committed, but from when the crime was discovered. This may apply in this situation.

If you are looking to sue contact me directly.

At your service,

Read more
Answered on 11/08/07, 5:27 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Washington