Statutes of limitations set forth the time period within which the state must commence a case for a crime. If the state tries to bring an action against someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.
Below is a summary of the statute of limitation periods for criminal cases in Oklahoma. Statutes of limitations set forth the time period within which the state must commence a case for a crime. If the state tries to bring an action against someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed. In general, violent crimes have a longer statute of limitations, and with some crimes there is no statute of limitations. In certain instances, the statute of limitations may be tolled, or suspended, which grants the state additional time to commence a legal action.
22 Okl.St.Ann. § 151-153
Murder: no statute of limitations
Bribery; embezzlement of public money, bonds, securities, assets or property of the state or any county, school district, municipality or any subdivision thereof; or misappropriation of public money, bonds, securities, assets or property of the state or any county, school district, municipality or other subdivision; falsification of public records of the state or any county, school district, municipality or subdivision; and conspiracy to defraud the state or any county, school district, municipality or other subdivision: 7 years
Embezzlement or misappropriation of public money, bonds, securities, assets or property of any school district; falsification of public records of any independent school district; criminal conspiracy; embezzlement; False Personation or Identity Theft; or the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult: 5 years after discovery
State income tax law violations: 5 years
Rape or forcible sodomy; sodomy; lewd or indecent acts against children; pornography involving minors; child abuse; and child trafficking: 12 years after the discovery.
If victim notified law enforcement within 12 years after discovery of the crime and DNA evidence is used to establish identity of offender: within 3 years after suspect’s identity is established by DNA evidence
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code violations: 3 years
Criminal fraud or workers' compensation fraud: 3 years after discovery, up to a maximum of 7 years after date of offense
False or bogus check: 5 years
Solicitation for 1st degree murder: 7 years after discovery of crime
Any other public offense: 3 years
Accessory after the fact: same statute of limitations as the underlying felony
Arson: 7 years
Felonies or attempted felonies with a deadly weapon: 7 years
Tolling Provisions
The statute of limitations does not run during any time that defendant is absent from state
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