11 Year Old "Car Theft"

[dlm2929]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida
My (elderly) mother was arrested yesterday for "car theft" that supposedly took place in 2000. The complaint says that she rented a car that she never brought back. She brought the car back when she was supposed to - infact she BOUGHT a car from the owner of the rental place that same day. Whether he is still around and can be found is still a question. Many people cleared out of here after Hurrican Charly. The Complaint also lists her as 5'7" and 170 lbs. She is 4'11" and about 90lbs. And it said she lived in a hotel. She lived in a large house on the beach. Obviously is a computer mess up - or her name got transfered on someone elses rental agreement. But she was arrested none the less. I went to the car rental company. They don't know what I am talking about. So (hopefully) without too many problems - this will go away. My question is - regardless of the circumstances - hasn't the statute of limitations expired? I saw that the complaint was made in April of 2000. She lived in (the house on the beach)from 1998 until 2005 - she moved (in the same county) and has been at the same address ever since. So there can be no argument that they "couldn't find her" She pays bills, taxes - even served on a jury in that time. If i worked for the sheriffs office - it would have taken me 30 seconds to track her down, not 11 years. What kind of recourse do we have? She is already out $1K for her $10K bail. She is elderly and on a fixed income - so we need it to go away with the least amount of damage.

[free9man]

If she was arrested on a warrant, that would indicate that prosecution had already commenced. If so, the SOL does not apply. You would need to find out if and when a warrant was issued for her arrest.