Statute of Limitations Halts Sexual Assault Prosecution in Some States

Why it matters locally: Massachusetts is one of the states where a statute of limitations can halt sexual assault prosecution, with current law generally setting a 15-year limit for most felony sexual assaults from the date of the offense, though exceptions exist for certain circumstances like cases involving child victims.

Law enforcement agencies in several U.S. states encounter situations where they identify a suspect in a sexual assault case but cannot pursue prosecution due to the expiration of the state's statute of limitations. This legal deadline establishes the maximum time after an event during which legal proceedings can be initiated. After this specific period passes, authorities lose the ability to file criminal charges for the sexual assault, regardless of evidence or the identification of a perpetrator. State laws vary concerning the length of these statutes of limitations for sexual assault offenses.