Every state has a statute of limitations, or a time limit, for when a person can be charged with a crime. Although some serious crimes, such a murder, do not have a statute of limitations, most others do. In the state of Nevada, many crimes have a four-year statute of limitations for filing criminal charges. Continue reading to find out more about the statute of limitations for specific crimes in Nevada.
Filing Criminal Charges in Nevada
The criminal statute of limitations depends on the severity of the crime.
Below are some of the crimes for which there is no time limit:
- Murder
- Sexual assault if the identity of the accused individual is established through DNA
- Acts of terrorism or an attempted act of terrorism
- Sexual assault arising out of murder or terrorism
Below are some of the crimes for which there is a four-year statute of limitations:
- Theft
- Burglary
- Arson
- Robbery
- Forgery
- Fraud
- Security fraud
- Sex trafficking
For any other felony, the statute of limitations in Nevada is 3 years. Gross misdemeanors have a two-year time limit and other misdemeanors have a one-year time limit.
Sexual assault and crimes that involve children are treated severely in the state. Below is the statute of limitations:
- For sexual assault, the statute of limitations is 20 years.
- For child sexual abuse, charges may be filed until the victim turns 36 years old if the victim found out about the abuse by that date. The victim may have until the age of 43 if the abuse could not have been reasonably discovered or known by the age of 36.
For cases involving kidnapping or attempted murder, the statute of limitations may be extended for five years if a report was filed with law enforcement during the period of limitation.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Criminal Defense Attorney About Your Case Today!
If you were charged with a crime in Nevada, the experienced criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of David R. Fischer can protect your rights and freedom. Our attorney is committed to providing personalized attention and will fight tirelessly on your behalf to secure the best outcome for your case.
Reach out to our law office today at to set up a free initial case evaluation with our attorney to learn more about your legal options. Our team is also fluent in Spanish.