State prosecutors have time limits for bringing criminal charges, known as the criminal statute of limitations. The "clock" typically begins running at the point the crime is committed and is paused when a suspect is living out of state, under the age of majority, or making efforts to evade law enforcement (such as living under an assumed identity).
For instance, if someone commits a violent crime, drives to another state, and goes into hiding, the statute of limitations will pause unless he or she moves back to the state where the crime was committed and lives openly. This does not mean crime suspects are "safe" in other states -- states tend to work together in such instances -- but gives prosecutors more time to file formal charges.
Statutes of limitation are meant to help preserve the integrity of evidence, including witness testimony, and maintain greater efficiency in the criminal justice system generally. There are usually no time limits for murder or other serious felonies.
The state of New Hampshire imposes a one-year statute of limitations for all misdemeanors (three months for violations), while there are a few different time limits for felony charges in the state. As in other states, there is no time limit for murder. For sexual assault of victims under 18, the statute of limitations runs until the victim is 40 years old (within 22 years of the victim's 18th birthday).
Additional details of New Hampshire's time limits for criminal charges are listed below. See Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations to learn about similar time limits used in civil law.
| New Hampshire |
| Criminal Statute of Limitations |
| The length of time for which prosecution proceedings can be commenced for a crime. |
| 625:8 |
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through higher court decisions, the enactment of newly signed legislation, and other means. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you may also want to contact a New Hampshire criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
