Question 1

How long does the DA have to file charges in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

The length of time that prosecutors have to file criminal charges - called a statute of limitations (SOL) - depends on the particular crime. In general, the D.A. has three years to bring felony charges, 18 months to bring misdemeanor charges, 1 year to bring traffic misdemeanor charges, and 6 months to bring petty offense charges. But certain serious crimes have longer statutes of limitations or none at all.

Question 2

When does the statute of limitations start running?

Accepted Answer

In most Colorado cases, the time limit to prosecute begins running when the alleged crime gets committed. But in some cases - especially those involving fraud - the time limit only begins running when the crime is discovered.

Question 3

When does the statute of limitations toll?

Accepted Answer

The statute of limitations (SOL) automatically pauses (tolls) in three situations. 1) While the criminal suspect is not in Colorado, but only up to 5 years; or 2) In cases involving rape of victims aged 15, 16, or 17, the 20-year SOL tolls until the victim turns 18. 3) In cases involving unlawful sexual contact of victims aged 15, 16, or 17, the 10-year SOL tolls until the victim turns 18.

Question 4

What Colorado crimes have no statute of limitations?

Accepted Answer

Prosecutors may bring charges for the following Colorado offenses at any time: 1) Murder - first-degree (CRS 18-3-102) and second-degree (CRS 18-3-103); 2) Kidnapping (CRS 18-3-301 & CRS 18-3-302); 3) Treason (CRS 18-11-101); 4) Any forgery (18-5-102) offense, regardless of the penalty; 5) Sexual assault (CRS 18-3-402) - when there is DNA evidence of the suspect, and the crime was reported to law enforcement within 20 years of the alleged rape; 6) Any sex offense against a child.

Question 5

What is the statute of limitations for Colorado felonies?

Accepted Answer

For most felony crimes, suspects may not be prosecuted once three years have passed since the alleged offense. This includes drug felonies as well. But for the certain crimes including theft, the three-year limit does not begin running until the offense is discovered. For vehicular homicide (CRS 18-3-106), there is a five year time limit to prosecute after the collision. And if the driver also committed hit-and-run (CRS 42-4-1603) after the fatal crash, the time limit to prosecute is ten years. The statute of limitations is six years for certain felonies, including bribery (CRS 18-8-302). The statute of limitations is ten years for felony-level unlawful sexual contact (CRS 18-3-404) when the victim is 15 or older. This also comprises attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit this crime. And if the victim is under 18, the statute of limitations is ten years after he/she reaches age 18. The statute of limitations for sexual assault is twenty years when the victim is 15 or older. This also comprises attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit this crime. And if the victim is under 18, the statute of limitation is twenty years after he/she reaches age 18. Note that there is no SOL if the alleged rape was reported to law enforcement within 20 years of the incident, and there is DNA evidence of the suspect.

Question 6

What is the statute of limitations for Colorado misdemeanors?

Accepted Answer

For most misdemeanor crimes - including drug misdemeanors - suspects may not be prosecuted once eighteen months have passed since the alleged offense. But for theft misdemeanors, this 18-month time limit does not begin running until the alleged theft is discovered. Note that the statute of limitations (SOL) is only one year for class 1 and class 2 traffic misdemeanors. For misdemeanor-level unlawful sexual contact (CRS 18-3-404), the SOL is five years after the alleged offense. If the victim is under 15, the SOL is eight years and six months after the alleged offense. (This comprises attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation of unlawful sexual contact as well.) And for misdemeanor violations of the Colorado Antitrust Act of 1992, the time limit to prosecute is six years after the alleged crime. And the SOL for misdemeanor tax evasion (CRS 39-21-118) is four years and six months.

Question 7

What is the statute of limitations for Colorado petty offenses?

Accepted Answer

For most petty offenses - including drug petty offenses - suspects may not be prosecuted once six months have passed since the alleged offense. But for theft petty offenses, the six-month time limit does not begin running until the alleged theft is discovered. For petty offense violations of the Colorado Antitrust Act of 1992, the time limit to prosecute is six years after the alleged crime.

Question 8

What is the statute of limitations in civil cases?

Accepted Answer

The time limit to file a civil lawsuit depends on the claim. But in general it ranges from one to three years. Potential plaintiffs should consult with an attorney.

Delito de Colorado	Estatutos de limitaciones criminales
Delitos menores (que no involucren robo) y infracción civil	6 meses después de que ocurra el delito
Delitos menores que involucren robo	6 meses después de que el delito sea descubierto
La mayoría de delitos menores	18 meses después de que ocurra el delito
Delitos menores que involucren robo	18 meses después de que el robo sea descubierto
Delitos menores de tráfico	1 año después de que ocurra el delito
Delito menor de contacto sexual ilegal cuando la víctima tiene 15 años o más	5 años después del presunto delito
Delito menor de contacto sexual ilegal cuando la víctima tiene menos de 15 años	8.5 años después del presunto delito
La mayoría de delitos graves, incluyendo homicidio involuntario	3 años después del presunto delito
Delitos graves de robo, fraude de seguros y ciertos otros delitos graves	3 años después de que el delito sea descubierto
Homicidio vehicular (DUI fatal o conducción temeraria fatal) sin fuga	5 años después del incidente
Ciertos delitos graves, como soborno	6 años después de que el presunto delito sea descubierto
Homicidio vehicular (DUI fatal o conducción temeraria fatal) con fuga	10 años después del incidente
Delito grave de contacto sexual ilegal cuando la víctima tiene 15 años o más	10 años después del incidente o 10 años después de que la víctima cumpla 18 años
Agresión sexual cuando la víctima tiene 15 años o más	20 años después del incidente o 20 años después de que la víctima cumpla 18 años
Asesinato	Sin límite
Secuestro	Sin límite
Traición	Sin límite
Falsificación (delitos graves)	Sin límite
Acoso sexual si el delito fue reportado dentro de los 20 años y hay evidencia de ADN	Sin límite
Delitos sexuales contra un niño	Sin límite

1. ¿Cuánto tiempo tiene el fiscal para presentar cargos en Colorado?

2. ¿Cuándo comienza a correr el plazo de prescripción?

3. ¿Cuándo se suspende el plazo de prescripción?

4. ¿Qué delitos de Colorado no tienen plazo de prescripción?

5. ¿Cuál es el plazo de prescripción para los delitos graves de Colorado?

6. ¿Cuál es el plazo de prescripción para los delitos menores de Colorado?

Referencias Legales

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