Can the state press charges against you for something that happened 9 years ago?

Question

an 16 year old girl wants to press charges against something one of my friends supposedly did 9 years ago. They say it has been turned over to the state and they may be wanting to press charges. I know for a fact 110% he is innocent. The reason all of this has been brought up is because the girl is in counseling. They are within the same family, and recently her mother and her grandmother had a fight which is when this supposedly all came up. He is much older than her... 10 years older. Anyways, my question is, is this even possible?

Answer 1

depends on the charges.  if this is a s*x offense there are special considerations.  sometimes a victim may have until they are in their twenties to file charges in a domestic abuse case.

Answer 2

There are statutes of limitations on most all crimes except murder.  SoLs last anywhere from 3-7 years depending on crime and state law.  Most states place a limit of 5-7 years on sexual assualt crimes.

Answer 3

First thing what kind of offense you are talking about? all offenses have statue of limitations. some offenses run out then its too late to press charges.  the way you are explaining it it sounds like a sexual offense.  depending on the state they could probably still press charges. look at all these catholics priest there offenses happen a long time ago.

Answer 4

Usually a 2 year limit..BUT..on a sexual crime , you can sue for damages at any time!!  go for it!!  sorry!!

Answer 5

It depends on the crime.

Most crimes will be past the 'statute of limitations' or how long the state has to press charges from the time of the offense.

Certain crimes, like rape and murder have very long statutes of limitations or none at all.