Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations By State

If DNA evidence leads to the identification of an offender, no statute of limitations exists

In cases of minors until their 40th birthday OR within 5 years of their discovery of the abuse

The state extends the statute of limitations one year after DNA identifies a suspect

For certain crimes, if the victim reports within 10 years and the defendant is identified, no statute of limitations exists

3 years

For certain crimes, if the victim reports within five years and the defendant is identified, no statute of limitations exists

No time limit for cases involving minors

For certain crimes with a five year statute of limitations, the state extends the statute of limitations to ten years with DNA evidence

If the victim was a minor, they have until their 21st birthday

If the victim was a minor, they have until 7 years after reaching the “age of majority” (18)

8 years for a first or second-degree felony sexual battery

No limit for sexual battery involving a minor under 16 years old

No limit in first or second-degree felony sexual battery cases reported to authorities within 72 hours

If the sex offense occurred after 2006 and identifies a suspect with DNA evidence, no statute of limitations exists

If the victim is a minor, they have until 5 years after reaching the “age of majority.”

If the victim is 65 or older, the clock does not begin until a person reports the crime to authorities.

For certain offenses, no statute of limitations exists if DNA identifies the perpetrator

The statute of limitations pauses if the victim is a minor until they turn 18

If a perpetrator DNA match is found within 10 years, then 10 years is added

If the victim was a minor, they have 5 years after reaching the “age of majority” (age 23) to file a civil action so long as the incident occurred on or after July 1, 1989.

No limits in Class X or Class 1 felony cases (aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault) or incidents involving minors.

If the victim reports within three years of the crime and the perpetrator’s DNA evidence appears in the state’s database within 10 years of the crime and it does not identify the perpetrator, no statute of limitations exists

For minors, either 7 years from the date of the incident, or 4 years from the end of dependency on the abuser.

The state extends the statute of limitations to one year after the state first discovers DNA evidence sufficient to charge the perpetrator

For minors, 5 years from the date of discovery (applies to all cases where the incident occurred after July 1, 1990).

In cases involving a school employee, counselor or therapist, victims have 5 years from the date of last treatment/enrollment to file a civil action.

After DNA evidence identifies the perpetrator, the state increases the statute of limitations to within three years of identification

For minors, within 3 years of achieving adulthood or from discovery, whichever occurs later.

The state extends the statute of limitations for any sexually violent offense to one year after DNA evidence identifies the perpetrator

For minors, 5 years after either the most recent incident, discovery or achieving adulthood, whichever occurs later.

For minors, 10 years after achieving adulthood, or 1 year from discovery.

The state increases the statute of limitations by three years after DNA evidence identifies the perpetrator

No limit for crimes against minors under age 16.

For minors, 7 years after reaching the “age of majority.”

For minors, they must bring a claim within 35 years of the incident or 7 years from when the person discovered or could have been reasonably expected to discover the incident. (The time does not begin until the victim turns 18.)

If DNA evidence exists without identifying the perpetrator, no statute of limitations exists. Once identification through DNA is confirmed, there is a statute of limitations of 10 years

For minors, the time does not begin until the victim turns 19 and terminates at age 25.

No statute of limitations exists the state is collecting and preserving DNA evidence

For minors, the time does not begin until the victim turns 18.

For minors, 10 years after turning 21 or 3 years from discovery, whichever occurs later.

For minors, 3 years after discovery.

If DNA evidence identifies the suspect after the statute of limitations expires, prosecutors have an additional year to file charges

For minors, the time does not begin until age 21.

For minors, within 10 years of turning 18 (age 28) or 10 years from discovery.

For minors, 12 years after their 18th birthday (age 30) or 3 years from discovery.

For minors, the time begins the moment a reasonable person would have discovered the offense.

If DNA evidence leads to identifying a suspect, then the statute of limitations begins when the state has  the evidence leading to the initial identification of the suspect in possession

For minors, they must file a claim before their 24th birthday or 3 years from discovery, whichever comes first.

If DNA evidence exists but no suspect identification, the statute of limitations does not start until the state identifies the suspect

Established through case law

For minors, 10 years from the point of reasonable discovery.

If DNA identifies the suspect, the statute of limitations extends for three years after identification

For minors, 12 years from the victim’s 18th birthday.

If present, a John Doe indictment based on DNA evidence adds time to the statute of limitations 

For minors, the time starts at the victim’s 18th birthday or 5 years after the police release the perpetrator from custody, whichever occurs later.

If the person reports the crime within 12 years of the occurrence and a DNA match exists, the statute of limitations extends three years

For minors, they must file a claim before they reach age 40 or 5 years from discovery, whichever occurs later.

If DNA evidence identifies a suspect after the statute of limitations has expired, they can change based on degree of charge

For minors, 12 years from reaching the “age of majority.”

The statute of limitations extends to one year after DNA establishes the identity of a perpetrator

For minors, 7 years from the incident or from the point of discovery, whichever occurs later.

For minors, 6 years from their 21st birthday, or 3 years from discovery.

For minors, within 3 years of the incident or discovery.

For minors, the time begins on the victim’s 18th birthday.

For minors, the time begins on the victim’s 18th birthday.

No limitation in cases involving a serial rapist.

No statute of limitations exists if DNA identifies an unknown suspect

No limit for minors

No statute of limitations exists if DNA identifies an unknown suspect

For minors, within 6 years of the act or discovery.

For minors, the time starts on their 18th birthday

For minors, the time starts on their 18th birthday and the victim must file the claim within 3 years of the alleged act or discovery.

The statute of limitations extends one year after DNA establishes the perpetrator’s identity

For minors, the time starts on the victim’s 18th birthday.

For minors, they must file the claim before the age of 35.

In certain circumstances, if the state collects and analyzes DNA evidence, the statute of limitations increases for a short period of time