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US Federal Statute of Limitations

What is the statute of limitations for your legal rights in the federal courts?


Federal Statute of Limitations

The US Federal Statute of Limitations For Federal Crimes

Below is a listing of the federal crimes and the statute of limitations for those crimes. While this list is updated regularly, often-times federal laws and federal sentencing laws get modified, repealed, amended or changed by legislation. Please locate a federal criminal defense lawyer who is qualified to represent you in your federal legal matter.

All states have their own statutes for crime as well. A listing for all 50 states and their revised statute of limitations can be found here: State Statute of Limitations

When a federal crime has been committed it's important to understand that finding the right lawyer is imperative to your legal case. The government has an almost unlimited amount of resources to help them win their case against you. Therefore, it's important to find a lawyer who is knowledgeable in the federal legal system.

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PERIOD OF LIMITATION FOR FEDERAL CRIMES

CAPITAL OFFENSES - NO LIMITATION
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
7 U.S.C. 2146(b) Killing a federal employee engaged in duties with respect to transportation and sale of certain animals
8 U.S.C. 1324 (1) Bringing in or harboring aliens where death results
15 U.S.C. 1825(a)(2)(C) Killing those enforcing the Horse Protection Act
18 U.S.C. 32, 33, 34 Destruction of aircraft, commercial motor vehicles or their facilities where death results
18 U.S.C. 36 drive-by shooting resulting in 1st degree murder
18 U.S.C. 37 Violence at international airports where death results
18 U.S.C. 43, 3559(f) Animal enterprise terrorism constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 115 Kidnaping with death resulting of the member of the family of a federal official or employee to obstruct or retaliate
18 U.S.C. 115 1st degree murder of the member of the family of a federal official or employee to obstruct or retaliate
18 U.S.C. 175 Development or possession of biological weapons
18 U.S.C. 175c, 3559(f) Variola virus offense constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 229, 229A use of chemical weapons where death results
18 U.S.C. 241 Conspiracy against civil rights where death results
18 U.S.C. 242 Deprivation civil rights under color of law where death results
18 U.S.C. 245 Discriminatory obstruction of enjoyment federal protected activities where death results
18 U.S.C. 247 Obstruction of the exercise of religious beliefs where death results
18 U.S.C. 351 1st degree murder of a Member of Congress, conspiracy to kill or kidnap a Member of Congress if death results, kidnapping a Member of Congress if death results
18 U.S.C. 794 Espionage
18 U.S.C. 831, 3559(f) Nuclear material offense constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 844(d) Use of fire or explosives unlawfully where death results
18 U.S.C. 844(f) Burning or bombing federal property where death results
18 U.S.C. 844(i) Burning or bombing property affecting interstate commerce where death results
18 U.S.C. 924(j)(1) Murder while in possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or drug trafficking
18 U.S.C. 930(c) 1st degree murder while in possession of a firearm in a federal building
18 U.S.C. 1091 Genocide where death results
18 U.S.C. 1111 1st degree murder within the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the U.S.
18 U.S.C. 1121(b) Killing a state law enforcement officer by a federal prisoner or while transferring a prisoner interstate
18 U.S.C. 1114 1st degree murder of a federal officer or employee
18 U.S.C. 1116 1st degree murder of a foreign dignitary
18 U.S.C. 1118 Murder by a federal prisoner
18 U.S.C. 1119 1st degree murder of an American by an American overseas
18 U.S.C. 1120 1st degree murder by an escaped federal prisoner
18 U.S.C. 1121 1st degree murder of one assisting in a federal criminal investigation
18 U.S.C. 1201 Kidnapping where death results
18 U.S.C. 1203 Hostage taking where death results
18 U.S.C. 1365, 3559(f) Tampering with consumer products constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 1503 1st degree murder committed to obstruction of federal judicial proceedings
18 U.S.C. 1512 Tampering with a federal witness or informant involving murder
18 U.S.C. 1513 Retaliating against a federal witness or informant involving murder
18 U.S.C. 1591, 2245 Murder committed during the course of sex trafficking by force, fraud or of a child
18 U.S.C. 1651, 1652, 3559(f) Piracy involving murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 1716 Mailing injurious articles with intent to injure or damage property where death results
18 U.S.C. 1751 Kidnapping the President where death results; Conspiracy to kill or kidnap the President where death results; 1st degree murder of the President
18 U.S.C. 1952, 3559(f) Travel in aid of racketeering involve the murder of child
18 U.S.C. 1958 Use of interstate facilities in furtherance of a murder-for-hire where death results
18 U.S.C. 1959 Murder in aid of racketeering activity
18 U.S.C. 1992 Terrorist attacks on trains and mass transit
18 U.S.C. 2113(e) Robbing a federally insured bank if death results
18 U.S.C. 2118, 3559(f) Robbery or burglary involving controlled substances constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 2119 Carjacking where death results
18 U.S.C. 2199, 3559(f) Murder of a child by a stowaway
18 U.S.C. 2241, 2245 Aggravated sexual assault of a child under 12 years of age in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. where death results
18 U.S.C. 2242, 2245 Coercing or enticing interstate travel for sexual purposes where death results
18 U.S.C. 2243, 2245 Transporting minors for sexual purposes resulting in the death of a child under 14 years of age
18 U.S.C. 2244, 2245 Abusive sexual contact where death results
18 U.S.C. 2251 Sexual exploitation of children where death results
18 U.S.C. 2251A, 2245 Selling or buying children where death results
18 U.S.C. 2260, 2245 Production of material depicting sexually explicit activities of a child where death results
18 U.S.C. 2261, 2261A, 2262, 3559(f) Murder of a child involved in interstate domestic violence, stalking, or interstate violation of a protective order
18 U.S.C. 2280 Violence against maritime navigation where death results
18 U.S.C. 2281 Violence against maritime fixed platform where death results
18 U.S.C. 2282A Interference with maritime commerce where death results
18 U.S.C. 2283 Transportation of explosive, nuclear, chemical, biological or radioactive material resulting in death
18 U.S.C. 2291 Destruction of a vessel or maritime facility
18 U.S.C. 2332 Terrorist murder of an American outside the U.S.
18 U.S.C. 2332a Use of weapons of mass destruction where death results
18 U.S.C. 2332b Acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries where death results
18 U.S.C. 2332f Bombing public places
18 U.S.C. 2332g, 3559(f) Anti-aircraft missile offense constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 2332h, 3559(f) Radiological dispersal device offense constituting murder of a child
18 U.S.C. 2340A Torture where death results
18 U.S.C. 2381 Treason
18 U.S.C. 2441 War crimes where death results
18 U.S.C. 2421, 2245 Transportation of illicit sexual purposes where death results
18 U.S.C. 2422, 2245 Coercion or inducement to travel for illicit sexual purposes where death results
18 U.S.C. 2423, 2245 Transportation of minors for illicit sexual purposes where death results
18 U.S.C. 2425, 2245 Interstate transportation of information concerning a minor where death results
21 U.S.C. 461 Killing a poultry inspector
21 U.S.C. 675 Killing a meat inspector
21 U.S.C. 848(c), 3591(b) Major drug kingpin violations
21 U.S.C. 848(e)(1) Killing in furtherance of a serious drug trafficking violation or killing a law enforcement official in furtherance of a controlled substance violation
21 U.S.C. 1041(c) Murder of an egg inspector
42 U.S.C. 2000e-13 Murder of EEOC personnel
42 U.S.C. 2283 Murder of federal nuclear inspectors
49 U.S.C. 46502 Air piracy where death results
49 U.S.C. 46506 Murder in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States
TERRORISM RELATED OFFENSE RESULTING IN OR INVOLVING RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY - NO LIMITATION
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
18 U.S.C. 32 Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities
18 U.S.C. 37 Violence at international airports
18 U.S.C. 81 Arson within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction
18 U.S.C. 175 or 175b Biological weapons offenses
18 U.S.C. 175c Variola virus
18 U.S.C. 229 Chemical weapons offenses
18 U.S.C. 351(a),(b),(c), or (d) Congressional, cabinet, and Supreme Court assassination and kidnapping
18 U.S.C. 831 Nuclear materials offenses
18 U.S.C. 832 Participation in a foreign atomic weapons program
18 U.S.C. 842(m) or (n) Plastic explosives offenses
18 U.S.C. 844(f)(2) or (3) Arson and bombing of federal property risking or causing death
18 U.S.C. 844(i) Burning or bombing of property used in, or used in activities affecting, commerce
18 U.S.C. 930(c) Killing or attempted killing during an attack on a federal facility with a dangerous weapon
18 U.S.C. 956(a)(1) Conspiracy to murder, kidnap, or maim persons abroad
18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(1) Protection of computer systems containing classified information
18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(5)(A)(i) Resulting in damage defined in 1030(a)(5)(B)(ii) through (v) (protection of computers
18 U.S.C. 1114 Protection of officers and employees of the United States
18 U.S.C. 1116 Murder or manslaughter of foreign officials, official guests, or internationally protected persons
18 U.S.C. 1203 Hostage taking
18 U.S.C. 1361 Destruction of federal property
18 U.S.C. 1362 Destruction of communication lines, stations, or systems
18 U.S.C. 1363 Injury to buildings or property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States
18 U.S.C. 1366 (a) Destruction of energy facilities
18 U.S.C. 1751 (a), (b), (c), or (d) Presidential and Presidential staff assassination and kidnapping
18 U.S.C. 1992 Terrorist attacks on trains and mass transit
18 U.S.C. 2155 Destruction of national defense materials, premises, or utilities
18 U.S.C. 2156 Production of defective national defense material
18 U.S.C. 2280 Violence against maritime navigation
18 U.S.C. 2281 Violence against maritime fixed platforms
18 U.S.C. 2332 Certain homicides and other violence against United States nationals occurring outside of the United States
18 U.S.C. 2332a Use of weapons of mass destruction
18 U.S.C. 2332b Acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries
18 U.S.C. 2332f Bombing public places
18 U.S.C. 2332g Anti-aircraft missiles
18 U.S.C. 2332h Radiological dispersal devices
18 U.S.C. 2339 Harboring terrorists
18 U.S.C. 2339A Providing material support to terrorists
18 U.S.C. 2339B Providing material support to terrorist organizations
18 U.S.C. 2339C Financing terrorism
18 U.S.C. 2339D Receipt of military training from a foreign terrorist organization
18 U.S.C. 2340A Torture committed under color of law
21 U.S.C. 960A Narco-terrorism
42 U.S.C. 2122 Atomic weapons
42 U.S.C. 2284 Sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel
49 U.S.C. 46502 Aircraft piracy
49 U.S.C. 46504 Assault on a flight crew with a dangerous weapon (second sentence)
49 U.S.C. 46505(b)(3) or (c) Explosive or incendiary devices, or endangerment of human life by means of weapons, or aircraft
49 U.S.C. 46506 If homicide or attempted homicide involved, application of certain criminal laws to acts on aircraft
49 U.S.C. 60123(b) Destruction of interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility
CHILD ABDUCTION AND SEX OFFENSES - NO LIMITATION
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
18 U.S.C. 1201 Kidnapping a child
18 U.S.C. 1591 Sex trafficking by force, fraud or of a child
18 U.S.C. 2241 Aggravated sexual abuse
18 U.S.C. 2242 Sexual abuse
18 U.S.C. 2243 Sexual abuse of a ward or child
18 U.S.C. 2244 Abusive sexual contact
18 U.S.C. 2245 Sexual abuse resulting in death
18 U.S.C. 2250 Failure to register as a sex offender
18 U.S.C. 2251 Sexual exploitation of children
18 U.S.C. 2251A Selling or buying children
18 U.S.C. 2252 Transporting, distributing or selling child sexually exploitive material
18 U.S.C. 2252A Transporting or distributing child pornography
18 U.S.C. 2252B Misleading names on the Internet
18 U.S.C. 2260 Making child sexually exploitive material overseas for export to the U.S.
18 U.S.C. 2421 Transportation of illicit sexual purposes
18 U.S.C. 2422 Coerce or entice travel for illicit sexual purposes
18 U.S.C. 2423 Travel involving illicit sexual activity with a child
18 U.S.C. 2424 Filing false immigration statement
18 U.S.C. 2425 Interstate transmission of information about a child relating to illicit sexual activity
- 20 YEARS -
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
18 U.S.C. 668 Major art theft
- 10 YEARS -
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
8 U.S.C. 1324(a) Harboring illegal aliens
18 U.S.C. 81 Arson in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States
18 U.S.C. 215 Receipt by financial institution officials of commissions or gifts for procuring loans
18 U.S.C. 656 Theft, embezzlement, or misapplication by ban officer or employee
18 U.S.C. 657 Embezzlement by lending, credit and insurance institution officers or employees
18 U.S.C. 844(f) Burning or bombing federal property
18 U.S.C. 844(h) Carrying explosives during the commission of a federal offense or using fire or explosives to commit a federal offense
18 U.S.C. 844 (i) Burning or bombing property used in or used in activities affecting commerce
18 U.S.C. 1005 Fraud concerning bank entries, reports and transactions
18 U.S.C. 1006 Fraud concerning federal credit institution entries, reports and transactions
18 U.S.C. 1007 Fraud concerning Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation transactions
18 U.S.C. 1014 Fraud concerning loan and credit applications generally; renewals and discounts; crop insurance
18 U.S.C. 1033 Crimes by or affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance
18 U.S.C. 1344 Bank fraud
18 U.S.C. 1341 Mail fraud affecting a financial institution
18 U.S.C. 1343 Wire fraud affecting a financial institution
18 U.S.C. 1423 Misuse of evidence of citizenship or naturalization or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1424 Impersonation or misuse of papers in naturalization proceedings or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1425 Procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1426 Reproduction of naturalization or citizenship papers or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1427 Sale of naturalization or citizenship papers or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1428 Surrender of canceled naturalization certificate or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1541 Passport or visa issuance without authority or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1542 False statement in application and use of passport or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1543 Forgery or false use of passport or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1544 Misuse of passport or conspiracy to commit
18 U.S.C. 1581 Peonage; obstruction of justice
18 U.S.C. 1583 Enticement into slavery
18 U.S.C. 1584 Sale into involuntary servitude
18 U.S.C. 1589 Forced labor
18 U.S.C. 1590 Slave trafficking
18 U.S.C. 1592 Document offenses involving slave trafficking
18 U.S.C. 1963 RICO violation involving bank fraud
50 U.S.C. 783 Disclosure of classified information with suspension until the end of any federal employment of the accused
- 8 YEARS -
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
18 U.S.C. 32 Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities
18 U.S.C. 37 Violence at international airports
18 U.S.C. 112 Assaults upon diplomats
18 U.S.C. 175 or 175b Biological weapons offenses
18 U.S.C. 228 Chemical weapons offenses
18 U.S.C. 351 Congressional, cabinet, and Supreme Court assassination, kidnapping, or assault
18 U.S.C. 831 Nuclear materials offenses
18 U.S.C. 842 (m) or (n) Plastic explosives offenses
18 U.S.C. 930 (c) Killing or attempted killing during an attack on a federal facility with a dangerous weapon
18 U.S.C. 956 (a)(1) Conspiracy to murder, kidnap, or maim persons abroad
18 U.S.C. 1030 (a)(1) Protection of computer systems containing classified information
18 U.S.C. 1030 (a)(5)(A)(i) Resulting in damage defined in 1030(a)(5)(B)(ii) through (v) (protection of computers
18 U.S.C. 1114 Protection of officers and employees of the United States
18 U.S.C. 1116 Murder or manslaughter of foreign officials, official guests, or internationally protected persons
18 U.S.C. 1203 Hostage taking
18 U.S.C. 1361 Destruction of federal property
18 U.S.C. 1362 Destruction of communication lines, stations, or systems
18 U.S.C. 1363 Injury to buildings or property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States
18 U.S.C. 1366 (a) Destruction of energy facilities
18 U.S.C. 1751 (a), (b), (c), or (d) Presidential and Presidential staff assassination, kidnapping, or assault
18 U.S.C. 1992 Terrorist attacks on trains and mass transit
18 U.S.C. 2155 Destruction of national defense materials, premises, or utilities
18 U.S.C. 2280 Violence against maritime navigation
18 U.S.C. 2281 Violence against maritime fixed platforms
18 U.S.C. 2332 Certain homicides and other violence against United States nationals occurring outside of the United States
18 U.S.C. 2332a Use of weapons of mass destruction
18 U.S.C. 2332b Acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries
18 U.S.C. 2339A Providing material support to terrorists
18 U.S.C. 2339B Providing material support to terrorist organizations
18 U.S.C. 2340A Torture committed under color of law
42 U.S.C. 2284 Sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel
49 U.S.C. 46502 Aircraft piracy
49 U.S.C. 46504 Assault on a flight crew with a dangerous weapon (second sentence)
49 U.S.C. 46505 Explosive or incendiary devices, or endangerment of human life by means of weapons, or aircraft
49 U.S.C. 46506 Certain criminal laws to acts on aircraft
49 U.S.C. 60123(b) Destruction of interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility
FEDERAL CRIMES OF TERRORISM THAT DO NOT RESULT IN OR INVOLVE THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY - 8 YEARS -
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
18 U.S.C. 32 Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities
18 U.S.C. 37 Violence at international airports
18 U.S.C. 81 Arson within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction
18 U.S.C. 175 or 175b Biological weapons offenses
18 U.S.C. 175c Variola virus
18 U.S.C. 229 Chemical weapons offenses
18 U.S.C. 351 (a), (b), (c), or (d) Congressional, cabinet, and Supreme Court assassination and kidnapping
18 U.S.C. 831 Nuclear materials offenses
18 U.S.C. 832 Participation in a foreign atomic weapons program
18 U.S.C. 842 (m) or (n) Plastic explosives offenses
18 U.S.C. 844 (f) (2) or (3) Arson and bombing of federal property risking or causing death
18 U.S.C. 844 (i) Burning or bombing of property used in, or used in activities affecting, commerce
18 U.S.C. 930 (c) Killing or attempted killing during an attack on a federal facility with a dangerous weapon
18 U.S.C. 956 (a)(1) Conspiracy to murder, kidnap, or maim persons abroad
18 U.S.C. 1030 (a)(1) Protection of computer systems containing classified information
18 U.S.C. 1030 (a)(5) (A) (i) Resulting in damage defined in 1030(a)(5)(B)(ii) through (v) Protection of computers
18 U.S.C. 1114 Protection of officers and employees of the United States
18 U.S.C. 1116 Murder or manslaughter of foreign officials, official guests, or internationally protected persons
18 U.S.C. 1203 Hostage taking
18 U.S.C. 1361 Destruction of federal property
18 U.S.C. 1362 Destruction of communication lines, stations, or systems
18 U.S.C. 1363 Injury to buildings or property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States
18 U.S.C. 1366 (a) Destruction of energy facilities
18 U.S.C. 1751 (a), (b), (c), or (d) Presidential and Presidential staff assassination and kidnapping
18 U.S.C. 1992 Terrorist attacks on trains and mass transit
18 U.S.C. 2155 Destruction of national defense materials, premises, or utilities
18 U.S.C. 2156 Production of defective national defense material
18 U.S.C. 2280 Violence against maritime navigation
18 U.S.C. 2281 Violence against maritime fixed platforms
18 U.S.C. 2332 Certain homicides and other violence against United States nationals occurring outside of the United States
18 U.S.C. 2332a Use of weapons of mass destruction
18 U.S.C. 2332b Acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries
18 U.S.C. 2332f Bombing public places
18 U.S.C. 2332g Anti-aircraft missiles
18 U.S.C. 2332h Radiological dispersal devices
18 U.S.C. 2339 Harboring terrorists
18 U.S.C. 2339A Providing material support to terrorists
18 U.S.C. 2339B Providing material support to terrorist organizations
18 U.S.C. 2339C Financing terrorism
18 U.S.C. 2339D Receipt of military training from a foreign terrorist organization
18 U.S.C. 2340A Torture committed under color of law
21 U.S.C. 960A Narco-terrorism
42 U.S.C. 2122 Atomic weapons
42 U.S.C. 2284 Sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel
49 U.S.C. 46502 Aircraft piracy
49 U.S.C. 46504 Second sentence)(assault on a flight crew with a dangerous weapon
49 U.S.C. 46505 (b) (3) or (c) Explosive or incendiary devices, or endangerment of human life by means of weapons, or aircraft
49 U.S.C. 46506 If homicide or attempted homicide involved, application of certain criminal laws to acts on aircraft
49 U.S.C. 60123 (b) Destruction of interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility
- 7 YEARS -
US CODE STATUTE CRIME
18 U.S.C. 1031 Major fraud against the United States
- 6 YEARS -
26 U.S.C. 6531 Tax crimes
ALL CRIMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 5 YEARS -
- 1 YEAR -
18 U.S.C. 402 Contempt of court
Disclaimer: Federal Statute of Limitation laws get modified, repealed, amended, and/or changed by the legislature. The authors and webmaster of StatuteofLimitation.info have made every effort to post the most current federal laws. Please use this site as a general reference and for comparison purposes. Do not substitute any information from this site for advice you would get from a qualified legal professional