Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault

Maryland’s Statute of Limitations on Sex Assault

Typically, Maryland does not have a statute of limitations on sexual assault cases.

Felony sex crimes do not have a criminal statute of limitations in Maryland, meaning that an accused individual could face criminal conviction many years after the alleged crime has taken place.

In civil cases, in which an individual wishes to sue another party for the damages they have experienced due to sexual assault, the statute of limitations is three years from which the alleged incident took place. This statute of limitations is relevant to adults who have experienced sexual assault, where a lawsuit must be filed within this three-year period.

There are exceptions, however, as the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 removed the statute of limitations entirely, allowing those who experienced such abuse as a child to pursue a civil case against a responsible party at any time. Someone who has experienced sexual assault could file a lawsuit decades after the alleged incident.

Understanding Criminal Charges For Sexual Assault Crimes in Maryland

Maryland law articulates and categorizes sexual assault in several different ways. Instead of using the phrase “sexual assault,” the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services uses the phrase “rape” and “sexual offense” where each criminal charge has varying degrees to signify the severity of the crime.

Depending on the nature of the crime, age of the victims, the victim’s ability to consent, and whether or not the offence was violent in nature, these crimes could fall into a number of different degrees of felony offences outlined by Maryland’s Registrable Sex Crimes.

Most of these crimes are felonies, with no statute of limitations. An individual can be arrested and convicted of rape or a sexual offense years after the alleged incident took place. There are many cases in Maryland in which criminal charges have been pursued decades after the incident itself, calling for specialized legal representation that can address the incredible seriousness of such charges.

Anyone facing these criminal charges should take them seriously as soon as reasonably possible. The resulting legal consequences are life-changing, including far more than monetary fines and potentially years in prison. The details of your criminal conviction can arrive in background checks well after your conviction, challenging your ability to work, parent, or find meaningful employment. Further, you are likely to experience inclusion in the Maryland Sex Offender Registry, where information about your past can be shared with local communities online.

Such crimes are likely to follow you for many years after you have completed your sentencing. The costs of hiring a highly experienced criminal defense attorney far outweigh the consequences that can come from these convictions, which include a lifetime of complex challenges.

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Jezic & Moyse remain Maryland’s first choice for legal representation in criminal and civil cases related to sexual assault. Learn more about the work we do, including our long history of success.

Civil Law Suits For Sexual Assault in Maryland

Victims of sex assault or other sexual offenses have the option of filing a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. The trauma and other damages inflicted on one party through no fault of their own can call for a lifetime of therapy and rehabilitation, where these costs can quickly turn unaffordable for the average person. Suing a responsible party will call for careful understanding of Maryland’s statute of limitations, and can occur concurrently with a criminal case against you.

For incidents that have occurred between adults, the statute of limitations for civil cases remains three years. This means that clients will need to file a lawsuit within three years from when the alleged incident took place.

The state of Maryland has removed many of the statutes of limitations regarding sex crimes experienced by children. Victims of child sex abuse have the option to pursue a civil case against their alleged abuser at any time, with no statute of limitations.

Legal Representation For Sexual Assault in Maryland

The seriousness of any kind of sex crime or civil case that includes sexual assault should not be understated. Individuals facing criminal charges such as rape or sexual offense will need to retain a specialized criminal defense attorney who brings not just knowledge, but also maintains a history of success in such matters. Developing a legal defense to such matters begins now, where an attorney can gather evidence and develop sound legal arguments that are in your best interests.

For civil cases related to sexual assault, rape, or sexual offenses, the damages that could be recovered from responsible parties may be in the hundreds of thousands. These cases call for exceptionally strong legal defense strategies, where every detail of what allegedly occurred will need to be carefully collected in order to lessen the monetary consequences.

Even being accused publicly of sexual assault is a serious issue that requires the services of an attorney who can protect your best interests. The resulting embarrassment and social reputational consequences are significant, and could result in your dismissal from work, or see your professional licenses being revoked. It is well within your legal right to consult with a qualified criminal defense attorney to learn more about your options and understand what next steps are best for you and your livelihood.

Partner with Jezic & Moyse today and partake in a free consultation with no obligation to retain our services. From here, we can learn more about your case and the potential legal consequences that you could face. Failing to retain legal representation for matters related to sexual assault, rape, or any kind of sexual offense in Maryland can result in lifelong legal consequences.

The process begins now. Contact Jezic & Moyse directly and speak with a representative today, and experience dedicated and compassionate legal representation for these highly complex matters. We continue to represent citizens of Maryland in some of the most complex criminal and civil matters, offering a long track record of success that could include reduced sentences or favorable settlements.

People from all walks of life have made mistakes just like you, and hiring legal representation is in your own best interests. Don’t delay, contact us now. We are on your side during these difficult times.