Felonies

• In Maryland, murder, the most severe crime, does not have a statute of limitations. This means that when a suspect is found, even if it is many years later, if the prosecution believes the evidence supports a conviction, charges can be brought. Other felonies such as manslaughter and tax fraud have a three-year statute of limitations, and there is a one-year statute of limitations for libel, slander and assault.
  
  

Misdemeanors

• Under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Sections 5-106 and 5-107, most misdemeanors have a statute of limitations of one year. However, if the suspect can be sentenced to jail for the crime, there is no statute of limitations.
  
  

Tolling

• Most states have provisions for tolling or stopping a statute of limitations. For example, if a suspect has left the state, he is considered "uncatchable," and the statute of limitations is stopped until he returns to the state or can be located. However, Maryland law does not provide such an exception. Regardless of a suspect's whereabouts, if the statute of limitations expires, the case is considered closed and no one can be charged.