"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 Arizona 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 Arizona civil statute of limitations are in Title 12, Chapter 5, which you can scroll through for civil claims not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Assault and Battery, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Contract (in writing), 6 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
Contract (oral or not in writing), 3 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-543 |
False Imprisonment, 1 year |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-541 |
Fraud, 3 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-543 |
Enforcing Court Judgments, 5 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-1551 |
Legal Malpractice, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Libel, 1 year |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-541 |
Medical Malpractice, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Personal Injury, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Product Liability, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Property Damage, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Slander, 1 year |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-541 |
Trespass, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Wrongful Death, 2 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 |
Criminal
Note: The Arizona criminal statutes of limitations are in Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107. You can scroll through Title 13 for various crimes and then use § 13-107 to determine which statute of limitations applies to a crime not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Arson, 7 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(1) |
Assault and Battery, 1 year |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(2) |
Burglary, 7 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(1) |
Disorderly Conduct, 1 year |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(2) |
Kidnapping, 7 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(1) |
Manslaughter No time limit |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(A) |
Murder, No time limit |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(A) |
Murder, second degree, No time limit |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(A) |
Rape, No time limit |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(A) |
Receiving Stolen Property, 1 to 7 years (Depending on the value of the property) |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(1), (2) |
Robbery, 7 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(1) |
Theft, 7 years |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-107(B)(1) |