Statutes of Limitations

Statutes of limitations are laws that set a maximum time period within which legal actions can be initiated after an event occurs, such as a crime or a breach of contract. Once this time frame expires, individuals can no longer file a lawsuit or prosecute the case. The purpose is to ensure that cases are addressed while evidence is fresh and to provide certainty for potential defendants. Different types of cases, such as personal injury or fraud, have different limitation periods, which can vary by state or country.