Statute of Limitations in Texas | How Long Does the State Have to Bring Charges?

How Long Does the State Have to Bring a Criminal Case Against Me?

Texas law sets out the statute of limitations, the period during which formal charges must be brought against the defendant for most offenses. These time periods range from two years to over twenty years, and for some offenses there is no limitation period at all. The applicable limitation period depends on the particular offense that is alleged.

The various statutes of limitations mean that the state must present an indictment or information within said time period or prosecution will be time barred. The presentation of an indictment occurs when the grand jury has made its decision and the indictment is received by the court. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 12.06. The presentation of an information occurs when it has been properly filed in court. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 12.07. The limitations period is tolled while the case is pending after an information is filed or indictment issued. Tolling means that the time will not be counted against the limitations period.

Generally, the time period is measured based on the date the offense was committed. When computing the time period, the day on which the offense was committed and the day on which the charge was presented are excluded. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 12.04. Thus, the clock starts running the day after the offense was committed and is paused when the indictment or information is presented. Additionally, any time the defendant was absent from the state is excluded when computing the time period. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 12.05(1).

What Are the Time Periods in the Texas Statutes of Limitations?

Texas law provides that for all misdemeanor offenses there is a standard period of limitations of two (2) years. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. arts. 12.02. Thus, for any given misdemeanor charge, the State must bring prosecution within two years from the commission of the crime.

There are several periods of limitations provided for the various felony offenses, as well as a catch all time period of three years for all other felonies not specifically provided for. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(7). See the chart below for the time period provided for certain major felony offenses.

TEXAS PERIODS OF LIMITATIONS FOR FELONY OFFENSES

PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS	FELONY OFFENSE
(A) Five Years   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(4).	Theft or Robbery, Kidnapping or Burglary (except as provided in (E)), Injury to Elderly or Disabled (unless 1st Degree), Abandoning or Endangering Child, and Insurance Fraud
(B) Seven Years   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(3).	Money Laundering Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse Medicaid Fraud False statement to obtain property or credit; and Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information
(C) Ten Years   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(2).	Theft of any estate by an executor, administrator, guardian, or trustee Theft by a public servant of government property Forgery or uttering, using, or passing of a forged instrument Sexual assault (except as provided in (F)), Injury to an elderly individual or disabled individual (if punishable as a first degree felony), and Arson
(D) Ten Years from the Victim’s 18th Birthday   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(6).	Injury to a Child
(E) Twenty Years from the Victim’s 18th Birthday   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(5).	Sexual Performance by a Child younger than 17 Aggravated Kidnapping with intent to sexually abuse a victim younger than 17, and Burglary of a Habitation with the intent to sexually abuse a victim younger than 17
(F) No Time Limitation   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(1).	Murder or Manslaughter Leaving the Scene of an Accident which Resulted in Death Indecency with a Child Sexual Assault or Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Sexual Assault if DNA testing indicated that the perpetrator’s identity could not be readily determined Sexual Assault if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant has committed the same or similar offense against 5 or more victims
(G) Three Years   See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 12.01(7).	All other Felonies.

Periods of Limitations for Aggravated Offenses, Attempt, Conspiracy, and Solicitation

The limitation period for criminal attempt is the same as provided for the offense attempted. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. §12.03(a). Additionally, the limitation period for criminal conspiracy or organized crime is that of the most serious offense that is the subject of the conspiracy or organized crime. §12.03(b) Further, the limitation period provided for criminal solicitation is the same as the period of the felony solicited. §12.03(c). Finally, an aggravated offense has the same period of limitation as provided for the primary crime. §12.03(d)

In conclusion, these limitations are set out to protect defendants from having to face charges where evidence is stale and witnesses are unavailable due to the long period of time the State has waited to bring prosecution. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure is very specific in how it has laid out the periods of limitations so that there will be no question as to the time period for a particular offense and how that time period should be computed.

*Note: The above provided chart is not all-inclusive but instead focuses on only some of the major felony offenses. An exhaustive list can be found in Section 12.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.