What is the statute of limitations for a 2nd-degree felony?

• A. No statute
• B. 6 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 2 years

Answer: (B)

When charges must be filed depends on the prescriptive period for the offense, which is the time limit on prosecuting a crime. For a second-degree felony, the period is six years in the jurisdiction implied by this question. The clock generally starts at the date the offense occurred, but it can be tolled or paused in certain situations (for example, if the suspect is outside the jurisdiction, if the victim has a disability, or during ongoing investigations). This six-year window is longer than the periods for most misdemeanors and reflects the greater complexity of prosecuting more serious crimes. Shorter periods like two or five years or the idea of “no statute of limitations” do not fit this category in the tested context.