Mar
29thStatute of limitations on rape cases
On an early episode of L&O: SVU, a rape suspect escaped justice because he was apprehended too late to be prosecuted. The episode, which dealt with the statute of limitation on rape, was recently re-aired on cable. Fortunately, the law has changed since the show originally debuted. In June 2006, New York lifted its five-year statute of limitation on first-degree rape, criminal sexual act, aggravated sexual abuse, and sexual conduct against a child. District attorneys can now prosecute any of these crimes indefinitely.
