"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 Missouri 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 statutes of limitations are in Title 35 (XXXV), Chapter 516 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. You can scroll through the laws in this Chapter to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or "causes of action" not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Assault and Battery, 2 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 516-110(1) and § 516-120.1 |
Contract (oral or not in writing), 5 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.1 |
False Imprisonment, 2 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.5 |
Enforcing Court Judgments, 10 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-350.1 |
Legal Malpractice, 5 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.4 or .5 |
Libel, 2 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-105 |
Personal Injury, 5 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.4 |
Product Liability, 5 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.4 |
Property Damage, 5 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.4 |
Slander, 2 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516-120.3 |
Wrongful Death, 3 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537-100 |
Criminal
Note: Most of the criminal statutes of limitations are in Title 38 (XXXVIII), Chapter 556 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. You can scroll through the criminal laws -- found in several Chapters of Title 38 (XXXVIII) -- to find crimes not listed below, and then use Chapter 556 to find the statutes of limitations for those crimes.
Description |
Statute
|
Arson, No time limit or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 556-036.1 or 556-036.2(1) |
Burglary, 3 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.2(1) |
Disorderly Conduct ("Peace Disturbance"), 1 year |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.2(2) |
Kidnapping, No time limit or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 556-036.1 or 556-036.2(1) |
Manslaughter, voluntary, 3 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.2(1) |
Manslaughter, involuntary, 3 years |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.2(1) |
Murder, first degree, No time limit |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.1 |
Murder, second degree, No time limit |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.1 |
Rape, No time limit |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 556-036.1 |
Receiving Stolen Property, 1 or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 556-036.2(1) or (2) |
Robbery, No time limit or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 556-036.1 or 556-036.2(1) |
Theft ("Stealing"), No time limit, or 1 or 3 years (Depending on the type and value of the property stolen) |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 556-036.1 or 556-036.2(1) or 556-036.2(2) |