statute of limitations

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Case Law, Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)

Definitions from Case Law

From 404 U.S. 307 - United States v. Marion · 1971Most cited · 7,408 citing opinions

the applicable statute of limitations . . . is . . . the primary guarantee against bringing overly stale criminal charges. Such statutes represent legislative assessments of relative interests of the State and the defendant in administering and receiving justice . . . . These statutes provide predictability by specifying a limit beyond which there is an irrebuttable presumption that a defendant's right to a fair trial would be prejudiced.

Show all 25 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1808–1971

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A statute limiting the time within which an action can be brought.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

See Limitations.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

See Limitation.

Defined under Statute in Black's Law Dictionary.