Most crimes in the state of Connecticut have a statute of limitations provision, according to Conn. Gen. Stat. §54-193 (2019). This kind of provision puts a limit on the amount of time that the state has to prosecute certain types of crime. For instance, if a crime takes place on August 1, 2011 and the statute of limitation for that specific crime is only five years, the prosecution only has five years from the date of August 1, 2011 to bring forth a case. If the prosecution tries to bring forward a case against a person for that crime on August 2, 2016, they by law cannot do so. However, the state of Connecticut does allow for certain crimes under circumstances not to have a statute of limitation/period of time in which to prosecute.

Sex Crime Statute of Limitation

Any sexual assault crime where the victim of the crime is a minor (under the age of eighteen) at the time the crime takes place and/or is classified as a Class A felony does not have a statute of limitation provision. This includes;

• Sexual assault in the first degree.
• Aggravated assault in the first degree.
• Sexual assault in the second degree.
• Sexual assault in the third degree.
• Sexual assault in the third degree with a firearm.
• Sexual assault in the fourth degree.
• Risk of injury to a minor in violation of subsection (a)(2).

This means that a case can be brought against the perpetrator at any time.

If a sexual assault crime is alleged and the victim is between eighteen and twenty years old, then the statute of limitation provision is thirty years after the victim turns twenty-one years old (ie: Victim is 51 years old). This includes crimes such as:

• Sexual assault in the first degree.
• Aggravated sexual assault in the first degree.
• Sexual assault in the second degree.
• Sexual assault in the third degree.
• Sexual assault in the third degree with a firearm.

If a sexual assault is alleged to have taken place when the victim is twenty-one years old or older, then the statute of limitation provision is twenty years after the crime is alleged to have occurred. Crimes that fit in this category include:

• Sexual assault in the first degree.
• Aggravated sexual assault in the first degree.
• Sexual assault in the second degree.
• Sexual assault in the third degree.
• Sexual assault in the third degree with a firearm.
• Sexual assault in the fourth degree.

If a sexual assault in the fourth degree is alleged, the victim is twenty-one years or older, and the crime is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, then the statute of limitation is ten years after the crime has been committed.

Discuss the Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations in CT

Determining the statute of limitations for a crime that you have been charged with or that you might face is an important step regarding your situation. If you are not sure when the statute of limitations is for a given crime, you can contact a lawyer to help you. In addition, if you face a charge for a sex crime, talking with a lawyer can help you establish a defense. You can contact our office to set up a free consultation and have your questions answered!