Limitaciones para presentar cargos por delitos en Washington

Explicación Simple

En Washington, hay un tiempo específico para presentar cargos por delitos. Algunos delitos, como el asesinato, pueden ser procesados en cualquier momento, mientras que otros tienen un límite de hasta diez años para hacerlo.

Es como si tuvieras un tiempo limitado para devolver un libro a la biblioteca. Algunos libros puedes devolverlos en cualquier momento, pero otros solo puedes hacerlo dentro de un tiempo determinado.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan cometió un robo en 2015. Si no se presenta el caso hasta 2025, ya no podrá ser procesado. Sin embargo, si alguien cometió un asesinato, no importa cuánto tiempo pase, siempre podrán presentar cargos.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

(1) Prosecutions for criminal offenses shall not be commenced after the periods prescribed in this section.(a) The following offenses may be prosecuted at any time after their commission:(i) Murder;(ii) Homicide by abuse;(iii) Arson if a death results;(iv) Vehicular homicide;(v) Vehicular assault if a death results;(vi) Hit-and-run injury-accident if a death results (RCW 46.52.020(4)).(b) The following offenses shall not be prosecuted more than ten years after their commission:(i) Any felony committed by a public officer if the commission is in connection with the duties of his or her office or constitutes a breach of his or her public duty or a violation of the oath of office;(ii) Arson if no death results; or(iii) Violations of RCW 9A.44.040 or 9A.44.050 if the rape is reported to a law enforcement agency within one year of its commission; except that if the victim is under fourteen years of age when the rape is committed and the rape is reported to a law enforcement agency within one year of its commission, the violation may be prosecuted up to three years after the victim's eighteenth birthday or up to ten years after the rape's commission, whichever is later. If a violation of RCW 9A.44.040 or 9A.44.050 is not reported within one year, the rape may not be prosecuted: (A) More than three years after its commission if the violation was committed against a victim fourteen years of age or older;