Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

"Statute of Limitations"

I would like to know what the statute of limitations for a misdemeanor crime and limitations on more than one misdemeanor charge is in the state of Washington.

Can more than one unlike misdemeanor be combined to create a felony charge; if so how can this happen.

Can the local, county, and state authorities harass the family members of someone who has committed a misdemeanor charge 3-4 years ago; if so how can the family stop the harassment.

Can a retrieval company or bounty hunter barge into a family member's home with weapons and no permission to search for someone; if not what legal recourse does the family member have to stop from being harassed by these type of people, especially with under aged children in the home.


Asked on 3/23/98, 11:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Tipp Tipp & Buley, P.C.

Washington Statute of Limitations

I practiced in Seattle for a number of years, although I now live in Montana. I am not altogether certain what you mean by your question about whether or not "more than one unlike misdemeanor be combined to create a felony charge," however I am unaware of any statute in Washington that has that effect.

As far as statute of limitations goes, the last time I checked, Washington had a two year statute of limitations on misdemeanor actions. This means that the prosecution must be instituted within that two year period from the date the alleged criminal activity is supposed to have occurred.

As far as the bounty hunter question goes, I do not have enough information to give you a solid answer.

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Answered on 4/06/98, 10:03 am


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