What is the statute of limitations for this situation?
I am writing a story where a woman is raped in Washington State. I live in Missouri and do not know what the current statute of limitations is on rape in the state of Washington. Can anybody help me out please.
It depends on the age of your victim and a few other things.
Washington State’s laws are codified under our RCWs which can be found here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Criminal offenses are found under title 9A.
Generally, a person can be prosecuted for FIRST degree rape ten years after it was committed if the rape is reported to a law enforcement agency within one year of its commission.
CAVEAT — If it is not reported within one year, the rape may not be prosecuted: (A) three years after its commission if the violation was committed against a victim fourteen years of age or older; or (B) more than three years after the victim’s eighteenth birthday if the violation was committed against a victim under fourteen years of age.
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Appears to be 10 years… http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.04.080
References :
It depends on the age of your victim and a few other things.
Washington State’s laws are codified under our RCWs which can be found here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Criminal offenses are found under title 9A.
Generally, a person can be prosecuted for FIRST degree rape ten years after it was committed if the rape is reported to a law enforcement agency within one year of its commission.
CAVEAT — If it is not reported within one year, the rape may not be prosecuted: (A) three years after its commission if the violation was committed against a victim fourteen years of age or older; or (B) more than three years after the victim’s eighteenth birthday if the violation was committed against a victim under fourteen years of age.
References :
I’m a lawyer in Washington State