Utah Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statute: §§ 76-1-301, 304 et seq.

Summary: The following sets forth a description of a particular crime or infraction, followed by the time period following such crime within which a legal action can be initiated.  If action is not taken within the stated period below, the victim may potentially lose its right to pres charges and the state may no longer be entitled to prosecute:

Felonies:

• Capital felony, murder, manslaughter, N/A
• Other felony or negligent homicide: 4 years
• Fraud or breach of fiduciary obligation, official misconduct: 3 years maximum
• Rape, sodomy, or sexual abuse of a child: within 4 years of reporting offense
• Child abuse homicide, aggravated kidnapping, child kidnapping: N/A
• violent felony: N/A if identity of perpetrator unknown but DNA evidence is collected and would identify the person at a later date (does not apply if statute of limitations has run as of May 5, 2003 without changes filed), once identification made, within one year if statute of limitations has run
• Misuse of public monies, falsification or alteration of public records, bribery: 2 years after facts reported to prosecutor

Misdemeanors:

• Generally: 2 years
• Infractions: 1 year

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