H.B. 13

1

CRIMINAL STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
2 AMENDMENTS
3 2008 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Carl Wimmer
6 Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 Committee Note:
10 The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee recommended this bill.
11 General Description:
12 This bill removes the statutes of limitations for prosecution of all first degree felony sex
13 offenses.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This bill:
16 . provides that prosecution of a person for any first degree felony sex offense may be
17 commenced at any time.
18 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 76-1-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 208
25 76-1-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapters 59, and 270
26 REPEALS:
27 76-1-303.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1996, Chapter 137

28
29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30 Section 1. Section 76-1-301 is amended to read:
31 76-1-301. Offenses for which prosecution may be commenced at any time.
32 [A] Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, prosecution for [a] the following
33 offenses may be commenced at any time:
34 (1) capital felony[,];
35 (2) aggravated murder[,];
36 (3) murder[,];
37 (4) manslaughter[,];
38 (5) child abuse homicide which is a second degree felony[,];
39 (6) aggravated kidnapping[, or];
40 (7) child kidnapping [may be commenced at any time.];
41 (8) rape;
42 (9) rape of a child;
43 (10) object rape;
44 (11) object rape of a child;
45 (12) forcible sodomy;
46 (13) sexual abuse of a child;
47 (14) aggravated sexual abuse of a child; or
48 (15) aggravated sexual assault.
49 Section 2. Section 76-1-302 is amended to read:
50 76-1-302. Time limitations for prosecution of offenses -- Provisions if DNA
51 evidence would identify the defendant -- Commencement of prosecution.
52 (1) Except as otherwise provided, a prosecution for:
53 (a) a felony or negligent homicide shall be commenced within four years after it is
54 committed, except that prosecution for [the offenses under Subsection (2)] forcible sexual
55 abuse shall be commenced within eight years after the offense is committed, if within four
56 years after its commission the offense is reported to a law enforcement agency;
57 (b) a misdemeanor other than negligent homicide shall be commenced within two years
58 after it is committed; and

59 (c) any infraction shall be commenced within one year after it is committed.
60 [(2) Offenses referred to in Subsection (1) are:]
61 [(a) rape under Section 76-5-402 ;]
62 [(b) object rape under Section 76-5-402.2 ;]
63 [(c) forcible sodomy under Subsection 76-5-403 (2);]
64 [(d) forcible sexual abuse under Section 76-5-404 ; and]
65 [(e) aggravated sexual assault under Section 76-5-405 .]
66 [(3)] (2) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), prosecution for the offenses listed in
67 Subsections 76-3-203.5 (1)(c)(i)(A) through (AA) may be commenced at any time if the identity
68 of the person who committed the crime is unknown but DNA evidence is collected that would
69 identify the person at a later date.
70 (b) Subsection [(3)] (2)(a) does not apply if the statute of limitations on a crime has run
71 as of May 5, 2003, and no charges have been filed.
72 [(4)] (3) If the statute of limitations would have run but for the provisions of
73 Subsection [(3)] (2) and identification of a perpetrator is made through DNA, a prosecution
74 shall be commenced within one year of the discovery of the identity of the perpetrator.
75 [(5)] (4) A prosecution is commenced upon the finding and filing of an indictment by a
76 grand jury or upon the filing of a complaint or information.
77 Section 3. Repealer.
78 This bill repeals:
79 Section 76-1-303.5, Sexual offense against a child.




Legislative Review Note
as of 7-6-07 2:42 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel