What Is the Statute of Limitations in Connecticut?

A statute of limitations is a legal time limit on how long it takes for someone to file a lawsuit or for the state to bring criminal charges against them. In Connecticut, this statute establishes the deadlines for initiating legal proceedings in civil and criminal cases within the state.

Connecticut statutes of limitations are outlined in Chapter 926 and Chapter 966 of the Connecticut General Statutes. They are designed to help preserve the integrity of evidence and witness testimony. If a party fails to initiate legal proceedings within the limitation period, the Connecticut felony, misdemeanor of infraction may become statute-barred, and the court can dismiss it if filed.

How Long Is the Statute of Limitations in Connecticut?

The applicable time limits for filing a lawsuit in Connecticut depend on the case type. Most civil cases, such as personal injury, libel, and fraud, are limited to two to three years. Criminal cases, such as misdemeanors, have a one-year limitation; Class B, C, D, and E felonies have five years; and there is no limitation period for Class A felonies (e.g., murder, aggravated sexual assault of a minor, home invasion, and 1st-degree kidnapping).

In Connecticut, the statute of limitations begins running either when an incident (i.e., injury, harmful action, or harm) occurs or when the incident is discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered)—known as the “discovery rule”.

Plaintiffs and prosecutors must initiate legal actions within the prescribed time limits. Under certain circumstances, the prescribed period can be paused or tolled; an example is if the defendant is outside Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(d) and § 52-590).

The table summarizes the statute of limitations for various case types in Connecticut.

What Crimes Have No Statute of Limitations in Connecticut

Crimes with no statute of limitations in Connecticut include, but are not limited to:

• Murder
• Escape in the 1st degree
• Arson 1st degree
• Perjury resulting in an innocent person being convicted (CGS § 53a-156)
• Arson murder (CGS § 53a-54d)
• 1st degree escape (CGS § 53a-169)
• Vehicular homicide in which the at-fault driver fled the scene
• Aggravated sexual assault of a minor
• Commercial sexual abuse of a minor
• Employing a minor in an obscene performance
• Any other offense involving sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or sexual assault of a minor
• Sexual assault reported within 5 years with DNA evidence

Due to their seriousness, these crimes can be prosecuted at any time in Connecticut. Also, the need to hold offenders accountable outweighs concerns about stale evidence or faded witness memories.

Criminal Statute of Limitations in Connecticut

The criminal statute of limitations in Connecticut defines the time limit prosecutors have to file charges against offenders in the state. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for a crime depends on whether it falls into the following categories:

• Misdemeanors
• Felonies with no time limit
• Most other felonies

While the misdemeanor statute of limitations in Connecticut is one year, no limit exists for Class A felony crimes (such as murder, felony murder, sexual offenses involving minors, including aggravated assault, incest, and commercial abuse), 1st-degree escape, and vehicular homicide where the at-fault driver flees the scene. Most other felonies (e.g., burglary, fraud, and assault) have a five-year limit. However, there is a 20-year limitation on sexual assault charges of Class B, C, D, and E.

Notwithstanding the statute of limitations, Connecticut will toll (pause) the limitation period if:

• The defendant flees the state or lives outside the state
• The plaintiff is a minor or incapacitated
• The defendant fraudulently conceals the cause of action (i.e., injury or fraud)

The table below outlines the time limits of some crimes in Connecticut.

Is There a Statute of Limitations on Attempted Murder?

No. Attempted murder is a serious felony; therefore, no deadline exists on how long someone can be charged with attempted murder in Connecticut.

Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault in Connecticut

The sexual assault statute of limitations in Connecticut outlines the legal deadlines to file criminal charges and personal injury actions by prosecutors and rape or sexual assault victims, respectively. Per this statute, the specific time limit to prosecute sexual assaults depends on the victim’s age, the particular charge, and the presence of DNA evidence.

Under CGS § 54-193 (as amended by PA 19-16, § 17), there are no rape reporting deadlines in Connecticut. This includes:

• First-degree sexual assault of a minor (under 16) by a defendant two or more years older (§ 53a-70)
• Commercial sexual abuse of a minor (§ 53a-83b)
• Employing a minor in an obscene performance (§ 53a-196a)
• Sexual assault of a minor (§ 53-21(a)(2) & § 53a-70c)
• Sexual assault reported within 5 years with DNA evidence

For sexual assault of a victim aged 18 to 20, the statute of limitations for prosecution is within 30 years of the victim’s 21st birthday (PA 19-16). Others include:

• 20-year limitation period for felony sexual assault of victims aged 21 or older
• 10-year limitation period for Class A misdemeanor sexual assault victims aged 21 or older (PA 19-16).

Civilly, suppose the offender has been convicted of first-degree sexual assault or first-degree aggravated sexual assault. In that case, there is no statute of limitations for victims to file sexual abuse claims in Connecticut (CGS § 52-577e). Otherwise, victims have until their 48th birthday to file a personal injury action if the sexual assault happened before October 1, 2019 (CGS § 52-577d). However, if the assault occurred on or after October 1, 2019, and the victim was under age 21 at the time, the limitation period to file a claim is 30 years (PA 19-16).

Civil Statute of Limitations in Connecticut

The civil statute of limitations sets the time limits for individuals to file civil lawsuits. The Connecticut civil statute of limitations outlines these limits in the state. Typically, how long you have to sue in Connecticut depends on the type of claim. A case is dismissed if the deadline to file the civil lawsuit is missed.

The table summarizes the civil lawsuit deadlines in the state of Connecticut.

Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in Connecticut

The medical malpractice statute of limitations in Connecticut defines how long to sue a doctor in Connecticut. Per Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584, plaintiffs must file medical malpractice lawsuits within two years of when the injury was sustained or discovered, or when they reasonably should have—and no more than three years after the negligent act.

In Connecticut, the law requires that a certificate of good faith be filed within 60 days of filing a claim, attesting that a qualified expert has reviewed the case and believes it to have merit. Petitions can be submitted to the court for a 90-day extension of the malpractice claim deadline if it is about to expire, to allow for a reasonable inquiry into the claim. The law also suspends the two-year statute of limitations period for patients under 18 at the time of the injury until they are 18 (§ 52-592).

The table outlines common medical malpractice cases in Connecticut.

Statute of Limitations for Debt in Connecticut

According to the law, how long a debt can be collected in Connecticut depends on:

• The type of debt agreement
• The date of the last payment or delinquency

For example, the statute of limitations for debts from written contracts and promissory notes is six years, three years for oral contract debts, 20 years for judgment debts, and four years for debts from the sale of goods. Most debts, including unpaid credit card debt in Connecticut, auto loans, and medical bills, are contract debts.

Even though a creditor has six years (or three years in oral contracts) to legally collect a debt in Connecticut, under the federal Fair Credit Report Act, the debt information from the date of the first delinquency stays on the debtor's credit reports for 7 years.

In Connecticut, a debtor’s partial payment or a written acknowledgment of debt will reset the statute of limitations.

The table outlines the debt statute of limitations in Connecticut for various debts:

Statute of Limitations for Child Abuse and Child Support in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the time limits for the criminal prosecution of child abuse offenses are:

• No limit if charged as a Class A felony (e.g., 1st degree sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and sexual abuse of a child)
• 5 years if charged as a Class B, C, or D felony
• 1 year if charged as a misdemeanor

However, for civil actions, the child abuse statute of limitations of Connecticut stipulates a two-year or three-year (under tort action) statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim for damages caused by child abuse. There is no statute of limitations if the defendant was convicted of 1st-degree child sexual assault or aggravated child sexual assault (CGS § 52-577e).

Also, if the child was sexually abused before October 1, 2019, they have until their 48th birthday to file a civil claim, or no more than 30 years for abuse occurring on or after October 1, 2019 (PA 19-16).

The Superior Court and Family Support Magistrates in Connecticut can enforce child support orders. The state does not impose a statute of limitations on unpaid child support. Unlike other debts, child support arrears do not expire. The state will pursue unpaid support until it’s paid in full. Liens and income withholding are primarily used for child support enforcement in Connecticut.