What Federal Crimes Have No Statute of Limitations?

Federal crimes are some of the most serious crimes and carry harsh repercussions. However, in some cases, time limits are imposed regarding when a crime may be brought into court and tried. There are some instances where there is no statute of limitations. You may be wondering, “What federal crimes have no statute of limitations?” An experienced lawyer can help.

If you are facing a serious federal crime accusation, it can be helpful to know what you are up against. Even if you have broken the law, there are still laws that can protect you and affect when you may be tried. An experienced attorney can help you understand what your rights are and how to use them in your favor. An attorney can also help facilitate any legal processes you may have to navigate.

Statute of Limitations

Statute of limitations is a legal word that may not be familiar to everyone. Simply put, it is a law that creates a timeline for when someone is allowed to file a claim in court. Statute of limitations may apply to federal and state crimes alike. Each state and crime have their own specific statute of limitations.

Federal statute of limitations can be easy to understand with the help of an experienced attorney. They are clearly outlined by the government and can be applied and interpreted according to each specific crime. The purpose of a statute of limitations is to ensure that the aggrieved person takes legal action within an appropriate time period after the crime has occurred. This helps to achieve a fair and speedy trial for the accused party.

Federal Crimes

Certain crimes are deemed federal because they have in some way breached a federal law. In some cases, criminal activity can breach both state and federal law. In addition, when a crime crosses state lines, it becomes a federal crime because it involves more than one state. Crimes that breach federal law must be at least tried in federal court, but could also be tried in state court if state laws were broken.

An example of a federal crime would be counterfeiting United States currency. This is a federal crime because it directly involves the U.S. government. Other federal crimes include:

• Any crime that takes place on federal property. Where a crime occurs has a great impact on how it will be prosecuted. If a crime occurs on federal property such as a national park, a military base, or other federal grounds, it will be considered a federal crime.
• A crime involving federal officials and personnel. Any crime involving an elected or appointed official or government leader will be considered federal because it directly involves individuals who make up the federal government.
• A crime that crosses state lines. Once a crime takes place in multiple states, it is within reach of the federal government to seek justice.
• Immigration crimes. Any illegal activity involving immigration or people from other nations will be considered federal because it is tied to another country.

Federal Crimes With No Statute of Limitations

Most federal crimes have a statute of limitations, but certain ones do not. These are known as capital crimes or offenses. In order for a federal crime to not have a statute of limitations, it must be clearly outlined by the United States Code. Some examples of federal crimes that have no statute of limitations include:

• Capital murder. This includes any murder that is punishable by death.
• Terrorism that results in the death or serious bodily injury of those who were targeted.
• Sexual crimes and offenses against children. This could include kidnapping.

Each of these crimes are considered serious enough to hold no statute of limitations. This means that at any point in time after the crime has been committed, it may be brought to court and tried.

FAQs

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Murder?

There is no federal statute of limitations for murder. Murder is considered a capital offense, meaning that it is an offense that is punishable by death. Capital offenses have no statute of limitations in the United States. This is to ensure that justice is served and all evidence has been gathered.

Are There Ways Around the Statute of Limitations?

There are ways around certain statutes of limitations. For example, capital crimes hold no statute of limitations. Many federal crimes hold a base statute of limitations. However, some exceptions are made for more severe cases, such as those involving major financial or personal loss. Exceptions to the statute of limitations must be clearly outlined in the United States Code.

What Crime Has the Longest Statute of Limitations?

The crime that holds the longest statute of limitations is the theft of major artwork. The statute of limitations for this crime is twenty years. This means that a case where a valuable piece of art has been stolen may be tried up to twenty years after the theft occurred.

Does Terrorism Have a Statute of Limitations?

Terrorism may have a statute of limitations depending on the specific crime. There are many different crimes which can be included under the umbrella of terrorism. For example, terrorist activities that are not deemed capital offenses such as destruction of property will have a statute of limitations. Terrorist activities that include capital offenses such as murder, however, will.

Contact a Skilled Defense Attorney Today

Being accused of a federal crime can be a scary and sometimes overwhelming situation. One of the most important decisions you can make is to engage the help of a qualified attorney.

If you have been accused of a federal crime, chances are someone is already working to build a case against you. It is important that you have experienced and adequate legal representation to prove your innocence. Do not try to navigate this road alone. Contact the team at Law Offices of Marc S. Nurik today to learn more about how we can help you. Our office has handled many cases involving white-collar crimes and is well-equipped to assist you.