Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offenses

by | Feb 3, 2015 | Criminal Defense

Under Pennsylvania law, unless the crime alleged to have been committed is murder, voluntary manslaughter, or conspiracy to commit murder, the Commonwealth is required to commence prosecution within a certain period of time.  Statute of limitations, although similar, is actually separate and distinct from Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 600 dealing with speedy trial.

Under the statute of limitations, prosecution must be commenced within five years after it is committed if the offense is any one of the following:

-aggravated assault, terroristic threats, neglect of care-dependent person, kidnapping, arson, burglary, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, unlawful use of computer, forgery, deceptive business practices, commercial bribery, and other listed offenses pursuant to statute.

If the offense is not listed in the statute, the commencement of prosecution must be within two years after the offense is committed.

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