Basics of the Statutes of Limitations

The Basics of Statutes of Limitations

Webster's Dictionary defines Statutes of Limitations as "a statute assigning a certain time after which rights cannot be enforced by legal action or offenses cannot be punished." In other words there is a time limit on which a case may be brought into court. The deadline varies on the circumstances of the case as well as they type of case (civil or criminal) or type of claim.

The reasoning behind having a statute of limitations include: fairness to those involved, the diminishing value of evidence, and the diligence on the part of the injured party.

Over time memory fades, and even evidence becomes lost or damaged. Some people want to move on with their lives without having to relive the past. So it only seems fair to these people that the statute of limitations is there to make it reasonable for them to move on with their lives.

Not only do our memories fade, but the important evidence pertaining to a case diminishes also. The