Find filing deadlines for federal criminal and civil cases. Missing a statutory deadline can permanently bar your claim or prosecution. Use this tool to look up applicable time limits under federal law.
Key Federal Statutes of Limitations
General Federal Crimes — 5 years (18 U.S.C. §3282)
Capital Offenses / Murder — No limit (18 U.S.C. §3281)
Tax Fraud — 6 years (26 U.S.C. §6531)
Securities Fraud — 5 years criminal, 2 years civil (from discovery)
Federal Civil Rights Claims (§1983) — Typically 2-3 years (varies by state)
FTCA (Tort Claims Against U.S.) — 2 years from accrual
Antitrust Claims — 4 years (15 U.S.C. §15b)
Wire/Mail Fraud — 5 years, or 10 years for financial institution fraud
Important Considerations
Statutes of limitations can be tolled (paused) under certain circumstances, including fraud concealment, the defendant's absence from the jurisdiction, or during ongoing criminal conspiracies. An experienced federal attorney can help determine the exact deadline applicable to your case.