Statute of Limitations PA- Summary
Pennsylvania Civil Statute of Limitations
Pennsylvania’s civil statute of limitations sets deadlines under which lawsuits and other civil actions must be filed in the state. These limits can range from one – twenty years, depending on the type of case or procedure. The date or discovery of an incident is usually when time starts counting down.
Be aware that if you fail to file your civil claim before the established deadline, the opposing party can use the statute of limitations in their defense and file a motion to dismiss the case on the basis that the time allotted to file it has already passed. Any legal claim will be lost forever once your case is dismissed.
A summary of civil statutes of limitations in Pennsylvania:
| Injury to Person | 2 yrs. Tit. 42§5524(1) |
| Libel/Slander | 1 yr. Tit. 42§5523(1) |
| Fraud | 2 yrs. Tit. 42§5524(7) |
| Injury to Personal Property | 2 yrs. Tit. 42§5524(3) |
| Professional Malpractice | 2 yrs. Tit. 42 §5524(7), (8) |
| Trespass | 2 yrs. Tit. 42 §5524(4) |
| Collection of Rents | 21 yrs. Tit. 42§5530(2) |
| Contracts | Written: 20 yrs. (under seal); 4 yrs. (other) Tit. 42 §5529(b); 5525(8) Oral: 4 yrs. Tit. 42§5525(3) |
| Collection of Debt on Account | 2 yrs. Tit. 42§5524 |
| Judgments | 4 yrs. Tit. 42 §5525(5) |
State laws related to filing lawsuits can change often. While our goal is to provide the most current information available, please consider contacting a Pennsylvania attorney or doing legal research of your own to verify the state law(s) you’re researching.
Pennsylvania Criminal Statute of Limitations
Pennsylvania’s criminal statute of limitations sets time limits on the filing of criminal charges in the state, but there is no deadline for crimes considered especially heinous, including murder, voluntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit murder, vehicular homicide, and more. Depending on the offense, other felonies must be prosecuted within a time-frame typically ranging from two – twelve years. Misdemeanors carry a two-year limitation period in Pennsylvania.
A summary of criminal statutes of limitations in Pennsylvania:
| Code Section | Pennsylvania Statutes Tit. 42 Sections 5551; 5552; 5553 and 5554 |
| Felonies | – Murder; voluntary manslaughter; conspiracy to murder; soliciting to commit murder and murder results; any felony connected with 1st or 2nd-degree murder, vehicular homicide; aggravated assault if the accused knew the victim was a law enforcement officer acting within the officer’s duties: none. – Rape; statutory sexual assault; incest; sexual abuse of children: 12 yrs. – Criminal attempt/solicitation/conspiracy to commit murder that did not result in murder; aggravated assault; terroristic threats; kidnapping; arson; burglary; robbery; forgery; insurance fraud; bribery in official or political matters; perjury; intimidation of witness or victims; prostitution: 5 yrs. – Any offense committed by a public officer or employee in the course of their office/employment: prosecution must begin while the defendant is still in office or within 5 yrs. of the offense (max. 8 yrs.) – Other felonies: 2 yrs. |
| Misdemeanors | 2 yrs. |
| Acts During Which Statute Does Not Run | – If the accused is absent state, not a resident, or in hiding. – If the accused already has prosecution pending against them for the same offense. – Crimes against a child under 18 involving injuries caused by wrongful act/neglect/unlawful violence/negligence, committed by the parent or person responsible for the child. |
State laws are always subject to change. While our goal is to provide the most current information available, please consider contacting a Pennsylvania attorney or doing legal research of your own to verify the state law(s) you’re researching.
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