Question

Distinguish the statute of limitations for criminal versus civil liability.

Answer 1

When we speak about the ‘Criminal liability’, it stands that an individual who has done any type of crime is accountable, responsible for any harm to the society and at the same time society should impose penalty on the account of crime committed by an individual. If the prosecution demonstrates that an individual has – taken others property which does not belong to the him, any type of theft, then an individual has given penalty. Thus, an act is prosecuted as per the state criminal code of conduct and an individual is liable for the crime committed either by intentionally or unintentionally. Finally, it depends on the society how they perceive the crime.

Whereas ‘Civil liability’ stands when the harm is alleged by the accuser and the reparations suffered. Sometimes the accuser pays the damages in monetary terms or sometimes may get reward from the jury. Thus, if it is intentionally or unintentionally, damage to the property is suffered then an individual has to pay all the losses. In this case, the action is taken more by privately held suits among the organizations or individuals and against federal government.

Finally, every state has their own rules for the penalties but for serious crimes no statute of limitations exists.