Walk It Through: The Old Charge
Two years as the rule, five for major offenses, and a fraud discovered late.
A charge for a summary harassment offense is filed three years after the incident.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
Three charges against one person. The offenses with no limitation, the major sexual offenses, and when the period stops running 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.
- Period of limitationThe time within which a prosecution has to be commenced: two years after the offense as the general rule, five years for the major offenses the section lists, and 12 years for major sexual offenses unless no limit applies.
- Simple assaultAttempting to cause, or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing, bodily injury to another, or putting another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury by physical menace; generally a misdemeanor of the second degree.
- Terroristic threatsCommunicating, directly or indirectly, a threat to commit a crime of violence with intent to terrorize another, or to cause an evacuation or serious public inconvenience.