Statutes of limitations

[Nicholas R Forystek]

"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 Minnesota 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 Chapter 541 of the
Minnesota 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.

Statute


Assault and Battery, 2 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)

Contract (in writing), 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1)

Contract (oral or not in writing), 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1)

False Imprisonment, 2 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)

Fraud, 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(6)

Enforcing Court Judgments, 10 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.04

Legal Malpractice, 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.07(5)

Libel, 2 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)

Medical Malpractice, 4 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.076(b)

Personal Injury, 2 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)

Product Liability, 4 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 2

Property Damage, 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(4)

Slander, 2 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)

Trespass, 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(3)

Wrongful Death, 3 to 6 years

Minn. Stat. § 573.02 subd. 1

Criminal

Note: Most of the criminal statutes of limitations are in section 628.26 of
the Minnesota Statutes. You can scroll through the Minnesota criminal laws
to find crimes not listed below, and then use § 628.26 to find the statutes
of limitations for those crimes.

Description

Statute


Arson, 3 or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case)

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(j) or (k)

Assault, 3 years

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(k)

Burglary, 3 years

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(k)

Disorderly Conduct, 3 years

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(k)

Kidnapping, No time limit

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(b)

Manslaughter, first degree, No time limit

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(a)

Manslaughter, second degree, No time limit

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(a)

Murder, first degree, No time limit

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(a)

Murder, second degree, No time limit

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(a)

Rape (Criminal Sexual Conduct), 3, 6, or 9 years (Depending on the facts of
the case)

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(d) or (e) or (k)

Receiving Stolen Property, 3, 5, or 6 years (Depending on the facts of the
case)

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(g) or (h) or (k)

Robbery, 3 years

Minn. Stat. § 628.26(k)


Theft, 3, 5, or 6 years (Depending on the facts of the case)