2 Answers

Simply put, the Statutes of Limitations in North Carolina are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a "civil" lawsuit, like a personal injury lawsuit, or how long the state has to prosecute someone for committing a crime. These time limits usually depend on the legal claim or crime involved in the case.

# As a general rule: The time period begins to run on the date your claim arises or "accrues," like the day of the car accident, or when a crime is committed, and

#Once the statute of limitations has expired or "run," you can't file a lawsuit (or be prosecuted for a crime).

The laws may change at anytime, so be sure to check the current laws and read them carefully, or talk to an attorney if you have any questions.

Civil

Note: Most of the civil statutes of limitations are in Article 4 and Article 5 of Chapter 1 of the North Carolina General Statutes. 

Criminal

Note: The criminal statutes of limitations generally are in section 15-1 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

I'd just say it depends on the crime.....