Walk It Through: The Old Charge
Five years for most felonies, two for a misdemeanor, one for a petty offense, and a few extensions.
A misdemeanor criminal action is commenced three years after the offense.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
Three charges. The offenses that may be charged at any time, the extensions for offenses against children, and the periods that do not count are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Class A misdemeanorThe higher misdemeanor class, carrying up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Period of limitationThe time within which a criminal action must be commenced: within five years for most felonies, two years for a misdemeanor and one year for a petty offense, with no limit for a class A felony and the other offenses the section lists.