Are there statutes of limitations on sexual abuse crimes in New York?
Yes, in New York, there are time limitations on both when you can prosecute AND sue for sexual abuse. However, It is important to remember that the criminal statute of limitations that applies is the one that was in place at the time of the crime itself. So while it may have been lengthened in the time since, if the limitation ran out, it can NOT be reactivated. (Whether this is also the case for civil suits is currently being debated in many states). Example: A man commits an act of molestation in 1965, when there was a 3 year statute of limitation on the crime. In 1970, the legislature removes the statute of limitations from child molestation. The man can still not be prosecuted, because the statute of limitations had expired before the law was changed. If the law had been changed in 1968, however, he could be prosecuted. If you are the victim of abuse, the first thing you must decide is whether you are pursuing something criminally or civilly, as the statute of limitation is usually
