Statute of Limitations on Theft

[curious one]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: wisconsin
What is the statue of limitations on theft in wisconsin

[M'sta Mikey]

Too vague. Give us a few more details and we might be able to comment. SOL as far as charges being pressed by the state, the victim; were you caught, detained, jailed...? Dates/times/circumstances...

[aaron]

It looks like for most felonies, 6 years; for most misdemeanors, 3 years. Tolling may apply, for example based upon periods of absence from the state.

[curious one]

what is tolling? I dont know many details..It has been since 2001 when this happened, believe anyway

[Scruit]

Basically: Hypothetically, if the statute of limitations is 2 years but you moved to another state after 1 year, then the clock stops running. If you are caught elsewhere then charges can still be filed. If you move back to that state again then the clock starts running again. Once it runs out then charges could not be filed.

This is a very simplistic views and there are many factors to consider when determining if the status of limitations has run out.


Real-world example: In the church sex abuse scandal a few years back most of the perpetrators escaped criminal charges because the victims did not report the abuse for decades. In a couple of specific cases the perpetrator had left the state before the statute of limitations expired - thereby keeping the possibility of charges open.