Alabama Statutes of Limitations

"Statutes of limitations" are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a "civil" lawsuit, like a personal injury lawsuit, or how long the state has to prosecute someone for committing a crime. These time limits usually depend on the legal claim or crime involved in the case, and they're different from state to state. For example, in some states you may have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were hurt in car accident, but in other states you may have two years. As a general rule:

• The time period begins to run on the date your claim arises or "accrues," like the day of the car accident, or when a crime is committed, and
• Once the statute of limitations has expired or "run," you can't file a lawsuit (or be prosecuted for a crime)

Below are the statutes of limitations in Alabama for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn't cover everything. Also, the laws may change at anytime, so be sure to check the current laws and read them carefully, or talk to an attorney if you have any questions.

Civil

Note: Most of the civil statute of limitations are in Title 6, Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Code of Alabama. You need to use the links on the web site to get to the code sections noted below. Also, you can scroll through the laws to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or "causes of action" not listed below.

Criminal

Note: Most of the Alabama criminal statute of limitations are in Title 15, Chapter 3 of the Code of Alabama. You need to use the links on the web site to get to the code sections noted below. Also, you can scroll through the criminal laws (found in Title 13A) to find crimes not listed below, and then use Title 15, Chapter 3 to find the statutes of limitations for those crimes.