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A friend who was charged with assaulting an officer about 6 and a half years ago, fled when his lawyer told him to do what he had to do. What is the statue of limitations on this crime, and how can he find out what the end result to his case was? What would be the best course of action for him? He has reamained out of trouble for these past 6 years, and has turned his life around, does this matter after so long? This happened in Indidana.
The statute of limitations stopped running when charges were initiated.
If he is seriously claiming that his lawyer told him to run away from criminal charges, that would be highly unethical conduct for a lawyer.
I felt the same way you did about his lawyer telling him to do what he had too. He said that the lawyer told him the judge was going to give him 3 years, and that he should do what he had too do. I am still unclear about what the law states about the limitations, it happened in Indiana.Thank you for your help. Also how can he find out what ever happened with his case, and will it matter that he has remained out of trouble since he left?
Your friend should consider hiring a (better) criminal defense lawyer in the county where the offense occurred, and trying to negotiate a resolution of the case. His absense from the state and staying out of trouble probably won't help him, but if he arranges to surrender himself he may be able to get a reasonable plea deal on the basis that the prosecutor probably wants to close out the file, and he can probably avoid additional charges which might otherwise result as a result of his flight from justice.
If criminal proceedings had begin, the statute of limitations is no longer an issue. This offense will remain pending ... and there is a strong likelihood that he has a warrant for his arrest as well.
- Carl