What are the Statutes of Limitations in Virginia?

What is the statute of limitations? To start broadly, they are a statute prescribing a period of limitation to take legal measures upon a potential crime or debt, contract, or other legally bound action. In other words, there is a certain amount of time that has to pass before you can no longer be charged with a crime.

Virginia Statute Of Limitations

In Virginia, there is a two-year limit of injuries to a person; libel or slander; or fraud. There is a five-year statute of limitations for claims pertaining to trespassing, injury to personal property, and written contracts.

For some civil statutes of limitations, individuals may invoke the "discovery rule." Essentially with this rule, the statute of limitations starts when the plaintiff finds out about wrongdoing or injury.

Here is a brief overview in chart form of the statute of limitations.

What Should You Do Next?

If you or a loved one have been unfairly charged with a crime, the next best step to take is to talk to a criminal defense lawyer. The penalties, fines, and repercussions, along with the cost of having a conviction on your record, can be detrimental.