One of the first things to consider when being charged with a crime is whether the prosecutor has filed the criminal charges within the statute of limitations, if applicable. Some criminal law cases have no statute of limitations, however, so it is important to work with an experienced criminal law attorney to determine if it applies in your case. Most states have complex criminal statute limitations, but here in North Carolina, it is pretty straightforward.
Most misdemeanors in this state have a two-year statute of limitations. That means charges must be filed within two years of when the crime took place. There are some misdemeanors that do not fall under this rule, as they are considered malicious in nature – in other words, willful malice was involved. Felonies and malicious misdemeanors do not have a statute of limitations, so you can be charged regardless of how much time has passed.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor and want to know if the statute of limitations applies to your case, give us a call at Tarantino Law, PLLC to speak with a criminal law attorney. We handle a variety of criminal law cases, including probation violation, assault and battery, and drug charges. We also represent clients charged with felonies, including sexual offenses. We will go over more than just the statute of limitations so you know what to expect in terms of the potential outcome based on the class of the misdemeanor or felony, as well as how we can assist with your criminal law case. Call today to learn more.