Matt Horeczko-What is the California Statute of Limitations for hit-and-run accidents? In both civil and criminal cases, statutes of limitations apply. Matt Horeczko explains that a statute of limitations is a law that imposes a specific time limit on how long a person has to file a legal claim. A statute of limitations will vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of claim being made. The right to bring a claim may be barred if a person fails to take legal action before the statute of limitations expires.
California currently has a six-year statute of limitations for misdemeanor hit-and-run crimes. As a result, a prosecutor will have up to six years from the date of the crime to file charges against a hit-and-run defendant. A prosecutor will be barred from charging and filing a criminal case against a defendant if they fail to file it within that timeframe. As a result, a prosecutor will have six years to bring charges against you if you have been involved in a misdemeanor hit-and-run accident. A felony charge will be filed against you if your hit-and-run accident caused serious injury or death to another person. A felony is a type of criminal offense that carries severe legal penalties. You should therefore speak with a local criminal law attorney immediately if you are charged with either of these crimes.