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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Statute of limitations
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A quick definition of Statute of limitations:
A statute of limitations is a law that says you can't make a claim after a certain amount of time has passed since an injury. This time limit is different depending on where you live and what kind of claim you want to make. It applies to both civil and criminal cases and starts from the date of the injury or when it was discovered. Some statutes of limitations are made by lawmakers, while others come from judges. It's like a deadline for making a claim.
A more thorough explanation:
A statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit for filing a lawsuit or criminal charges after an injury or crime has occurred. The time limit varies depending on the type of claim and the jurisdiction.
For example, in California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. This means that if someone is injured in a car accident on January 1, 2021, they have until January 1, 2023, to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Statutes of limitations exist to ensure that cases are brought to court in a timely manner, while evidence and witnesses are still available. Once the time limit has passed, the injured party or prosecutor is barred from filing a lawsuit or criminal charges.