Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

What is the time frame to which you have to be charged for a crime.

I was charged with shoplifting on 11-1-09 and on 12-4-10 i received the summons. Did the statute of limations run out ? i believe the statute is 714.2(5) the items taken were under 200 dollars Should i argue this? Thanks for the help.


Asked on 2/18/11, 5:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Unless you absconded or made yourself unavailable by moving out of state or changing your address the general rule for a simple misdemeanor is that it must be prosecuted within one year of its commission see 812.4.

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Answered on 2/19/11, 7:21 am


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