Legal Question in Criminal Law in North Carolina

Reporting Crimes That Occurred Years Ago

I have knowledge of criminal wrongdoing in my family by two family members many years ago. Threats of more wrongdoing by these two people directed against me have occurred more recently. If I should go to the appropriate district attorneys with this now, even though there exists no statute of limitation, is it likely the district attorneys would not, given the passage of time, be interested?


Asked on 7/14/02, 12:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Paul Herzog Paul F. Herzog, Attorney-at-Law, P.A.

Re: Reporting Crimes That Occurred Years Ago

District Attorneys are not in the business of investigating crimes; they prosecute crimes based upon investigations that are done by other agencies such as Police Departments , Sheriff's Departments, & the State Bureau of Investigation etc. So, if I were you, I would start with one of those agencies, rather than your local DA (since he will likely send you to one of these places anyway).

You didn't give much information about what sort of funny business your family members had been up to. I think it is doubtful that law enforcement is going to be very interested in crimes committed more than a year ago (after all the cops are neck deep in crimes being committed right this minute!), unless it concerns something very serious like murder or a crime that was of great local interest and you know that law enforcement is still actively seeking to solve it (such as a big bank robbery). If you feel this is the case by all means report it and see what happens; there is no harm in trying. If you have some physical evdience to back up and corroborate your story (such as a piece of stolen property) bring it with you when you go to see law enforcement.

Good luck

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Answered on 7/14/02, 10:36 am


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