Know the Statute of Limitations
For every crime and civil action there is a Statute of Limitations associated with it. A Statute of Limitations is a time limit that the State or a Plaintiff has to bring a case. If the Statute of Limitations has expired and the cause of action occurred outside the Statute of Limitations, the cause of action is time-barred.
CIVIL
Cause of Action Statute
Assault: 1 year Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-105
Contract (in writing): 3 years or 12 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101; Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-102(a)(5)
Contract (oral): 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
False imprisonment: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Fraud: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Legal malpractice: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Libel: 1 year Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-105
Medical malpractice: 3 years from discovery Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109(a)
of the injury or 5 years from
the injury (whichever is earlier)
Personal injury: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Product liability: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Property damage: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Slander: 1 year Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-105
Trespass: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Wrongful death: 3 years Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904(g)
CRIMINAL
In Maryland, there is no statute of limitations for many crimes, including some misdemeanors. The general limitations period for misdemeanors not punishable by imprisonment is one year.
Offense Statute
Arson or “malicious burning”: No time limit Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(b)(1)
Assault: No time limit Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(b)(1)
Burglary: No time limit Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(b)(1)
Disorderly conduct Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(a)
(or “disturbing the peace”): 1 year
Kidnapping: No time limit
Manslaughter: 3 years (vehicular)
or no time limit Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(o)
Murder: No time limit
Rape: No time limit
Receiving stolen property: 2 years or Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(b)(1); Md. no time limit Code Ann. Crim. Law §7-104(i)
Robbery: No time limit
Theft: 2 years or no time limit Md. Code Ann. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-106(b)(1); Md. Code Ann. Crim. Law §7-104(i)
Be mindful of the Statute of Limitations when filing suit in a civil case. A case can be dismissed due to it being brought too late.
Call The Law Office of Adina S. Katz, LLC today for help in a civil suit or criminal defense.
Comments