District Of Columbia Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

In the District of Columbia, most civil lawsuits must be filed within 3 years under D.C. Code §12-301, with assault and defamation claims limited to 1 year. Murder and all degrees of sexual abuse carry no criminal time limit, most felonies must be charged within 6 years, and misdemeanors within 3 years.

Understanding the statute of limitations in the District of Columbia is essential for anyone involved in a legal dispute. These deadlines set the maximum time a person has to file a civil lawsuit or the government has to bring criminal charges. Missing these deadlines almost always means losing the right to pursue a claim or prosecution entirely.

D.C. law divides these time limits into two main categories: civil statutes of limitations (for lawsuits between private parties) and criminal statutes of limitations (for prosecution of crimes). Each category has different deadlines depending on the type of case.

This guide covers every major filing deadline in Washington, D.C., explains important exceptions and tolling provisions, and provides the specific statutory references so you can verify each time limit yourself.

Hurt in District of Columbia? If you are still within the deadline above, you can estimate what your injury claim may be worth with our free District of Columbia personal injury settlement calculator. It gives an instant range based on your medical costs and District of Columbia's fault rule (general information, not legal advice).

District of Columbia Civil Statute of Limitations

The civil statute of limitations in D.C. governs how long you have to file a lawsuit. These deadlines are found primarily in D.C. Code §12-301, which lists specific time limits for different types of actions. Once the applicable deadline passes, the defendant can file a motion to dismiss, and the court will grant it.

The clock typically starts on the date the injury or breach occurred. In some cases, D.C. courts apply a "discovery rule" that delays the start of the clock until the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known about the harm.

Personal Injury Claims

D.C. gives injured persons 3 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies broadly to claims involving car accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, negligence, and most other injury-based claims.

The governing statute is D.C. Code §12-301(8), which sets a 3-year limit for actions "for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed."

Assault, Battery, and Related Torts

Claims for assault, battery, mayhem, wounding, malicious prosecution, false arrest, and false imprisonment carry a shorter deadline of just 1 year under D.C. Code §12-301(4). This is one of the shortest civil deadlines in D.C. law.

Defamation (Libel and Slander)

Defamation claims, whether for written statements (libel) or spoken statements (slander), must be filed within 1 year under D.C. Code §12-301(4).

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims fall under the general 3-year catch-all provision at D.C. Code §12-301(8). The clock starts when the malpractice occurs, though the discovery rule may apply if the injury was not immediately apparent.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of the date of death under D.C. Code §16-2702. This deadline runs from the date of death, not from the date of the underlying injury that caused the death. The personal representative of the deceased person must bring the action.

Property Damage

Claims for injury to real or personal property must be filed within 3 years under D.C. Code §12-301(3). This includes damage to vehicles, real estate, personal belongings, and other tangible property.

Claims for recovery of personal property or damages for its unlawful detention also carry a 3-year deadline under D.C. Code §12-301(2).

Trespass

Trespass claims must be filed within 3 years under D.C. Code §12-301(3), consistent with the general property damage deadline.

Fraud

Fraud claims must be filed within 3 years under D.C. Code §12-301(8). The discovery rule is particularly relevant in fraud cases, as the deceptive nature of fraud can delay a plaintiff's awareness of the wrongful conduct. A merchant's deceptive sales practice can also support a claim under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act; our page on D.C. scam and fraud laws explains how that claim works and where to file a complaint.

Contract Disputes

D.C. applies a 3-year statute of limitations to simple contract claims, whether express or implied, under D.C. Code §12-301(7).

For contracts involving the sale of goods under the Uniform Commercial Code, D.C. provides a 4-year statute of limitations under D.C. Code §28:2-725. The clock starts when the breach occurs, which is typically at the time of delivery. If a warranty explicitly covers future performance, the clock starts when the breach is or should have been discovered.

Sealed instruments, bonds, covenants, and other instruments under seal carry a 12-year statute of limitations under D.C. Code §12-301(6).

Debt Collection

Actions to collect a debt on account must be filed within 3 years under D.C. Code §12-301(8).

Judgments

An action to enforce a judgment must be brought within 12 years under D.C. Code §15-101. The judgment ceases to have any operation or effect after the 12-year period expires. However, an order of revival can extend the enforceability for an additional 12 years.

Foreign judgments are governed by the law of the foreign jurisdiction under D.C. Code §12-307.

Recovery of Land

Actions for recovery of lands, tenements, or hereditaments carry the longest civil deadline at 15 years under D.C. Code §12-301(1).

Statutory Penalties and Forfeitures

Actions to recover a statutory penalty or forfeiture must be filed within 1 year under D.C. Code §12-301(5).

Executor and Administrator Bonds

Actions on an executor's or administrator's bond must be filed within 5 years under D.C. Code §12-301(6).

Toxic Substance and Asbestos Claims

Claims for injury to real property from toxic substances, including products containing asbestos, must be filed within 5 years from the date the injury is discovered or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence under D.C. Code §12-301(10).

Sexual Abuse (Civil Claims)

D.C. has expanded the civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims significantly through the Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018 (D.C. Law 22-311), effective May 3, 2019.

If the sexual abuse occurred when the victim was under age 35, the victim has until the later of age 40 or 5 years from when they knew or reasonably should have known of the abuse (D.C. Code §12-301(11)).

If the sexual abuse occurred when the victim was age 35 or older, the victim has 5 years or 5 years from discovery, whichever is later (D.C. Code §12-301(12)).

Claims that were previously time-barred but would not be time-barred under the new law were revived for a 2-year window following the law's effective date.

Claims Against the D.C. Government

A special notice requirement applies to claims against the District of Columbia government. Under D.C. Code §12-309, a claimant must give written notice to the Mayor within 6 months of sustaining the injury or damage. The notice must describe the approximate time, place, cause, and circumstances of the injury. A Metropolitan Police Department report filed in the regular course of duty satisfies this notice requirement.

This notice requirement does not apply to discrimination claims under D.C. Code §2-1403.16.

Complete Civil Statute of Limitations Table

District of Columbia Criminal Statute of Limitations

The criminal statute of limitations in D.C. determines how long prosecutors have to file charges after a crime has been committed. These time limits are found in D.C. Code §23-113, which was significantly updated by the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-175) and the Female Genital Mutilation Prohibition Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-322).

Crimes With No Time Limit

D.C. does not impose any filing deadline for the most serious offenses. Prosecutors may bring charges at any time for:

• First degree murder and second degree murder
• Murder of a law enforcement officer or acts of terrorism
• First, second, third, and fourth degree sexual abuse
• First and second degree child sexual abuse
• First and second degree sexual abuse of a minor
• First and second degree sexual abuse of a secondary education student
• First and second degree sexual abuse of a ward, patient, or client
• Incest

The elimination of statutes of limitations for all degrees of sexual abuse was accomplished through the Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018 (D.C. Law 22-311). Previously, only first and second degree sexual abuse had a 15-year limit, and other sexual offenses had shorter deadlines.

Felonies

For felonies not listed above, prosecution must begin within 6 years of the date the crime was committed under D.C. Code §23-113(a)(4). This general 6-year limit applies to crimes such as robbery, burglary, drug offenses, and aggravated assault.

There are extended deadlines for specific categories:

• Enticing a child for the purpose of committing felony sexual abuse, using a minor in a sexual performance, promoting a sexual performance by a minor, and sex trafficking of children or trafficking in labor or commercial sex: prosecution must begin within 10 years (D.C. Code §23-113(a)(3)). Incest carries no criminal time limit at all (D.C. Code §23-113(a)(1)).

Misdemeanors

A prosecution for any misdemeanor is barred if not commenced within 3 years after it is committed under D.C. Code §23-113(a)(5).

Official Misconduct and Fraud

Special extended deadlines apply to crimes involving public officials or fraud. A prosecution for a felony or misdemeanor may be brought within 3 years after a public officer or employee has left office, or after a fraud or breach of fiduciary trust has been or reasonably should have been discovered. However, this extension cannot push the total deadline beyond 9 years for a felony or 6 years for a misdemeanor (D.C. Code §23-113(a)(6)).

Female Genital Mutilation

Under D.C. Law 25-322, effective April 18, 2025, a specific limitations provision was added for offenses under the Female Genital Mutilation Prohibition Act of 2024 (D.C. Code §23-113(d)(6)).

When a Crime Is "Committed"

Under D.C. Code §23-113(b), an offense is considered committed either when every element occurs, or when a continuing course of conduct terminates. The limitations period begins on the day after the offense is committed or completed.

When Prosecution "Commences"

Under D.C. Code §23-113(c), a prosecution is considered commenced when a complaint is filed before a judicial officer empowered to issue an arrest warrant, provided the warrant is issued without unreasonable delay.

Complete Criminal Statute of Limitations Table

Tolling and Exceptions in the District of Columbia

Several situations can pause (toll) or extend the statute of limitations in D.C. Understanding these exceptions is important because they can significantly affect filing deadlines.

Disability of Plaintiff

Under D.C. Code §12-302, if a person who has a cause of action is under a legal disability at the time the claim accrues, the statute of limitations is tolled until the disability is removed. This includes minors and persons who are mentally incompetent. Once the disability ends, the standard limitation period begins to run.

Absence or Concealment of Defendant

Under D.C. Code §12-303, if a defendant is absent from the District of Columbia or conceals themselves, the time of absence or concealment does not count toward the statute of limitations. The clock pauses while the defendant is unavailable and resumes when they return or are found.

For criminal cases, D.C. Code §23-113(f) provides that no statute of limitations extends to any person fleeing from justice. There is no separate absence-from-the-District tolling rule in the criminal statute; the absence and concealment rule in §12-303 applies to civil actions.

Discovery Rule

D.C. courts apply the "discovery rule" in cases where an injury is not immediately apparent. Under this doctrine, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the plaintiff knew or should have known about the injury through the exercise of reasonable diligence. This rule commonly applies in medical malpractice, fraud, and toxic exposure cases.

Actions Stayed by Court or Statute

Under D.C. Code §12-304, when the commencement of an action is stayed by a court order or statutory provision, the time of the stay does not count toward the limitations period.

Actions Against Decedents' Estates

D.C. Code §12-305 provides special rules for the timing of actions when a party dies before the statute of limitations expires, allowing for additional time to file against the decedent's estate.

Sexual Abuse Discovery Rule

For civil claims arising from sexual abuse, D.C. applies a specific discovery rule. The limitations period does not begin to run until the victim knew or reasonably should have known of the sexual abuse. This is separate from the general discovery rule and provides additional protection for survivors of sexual abuse, particularly in cases involving minors or situations where the abusive nature of the conduct was not immediately recognized.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

If you fail to file a civil lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, the defendant can raise it as an affirmative defense and file a motion to dismiss. D.C. courts consistently enforce these deadlines, and a dismissal on statute of limitations grounds is almost always permanent. The claim is lost forever.

For criminal cases, if prosecutors attempt to bring charges after the statute of limitations has expired, the defendant can move to dismiss the indictment. The court must grant the motion unless the government can prove that a tolling exception applies.

Filing an insurance claim or negotiating with an insurance adjuster does not pause or extend the statute of limitations. The clock continues to run during these activities. It is important to track deadlines even while settlement discussions are ongoing.

Practical Tips for Filing in D.C.

• Document the date of injury or discovery carefully. The exact start date of the statute of limitations can determine whether your case survives a motion to dismiss.
• Pay attention to the 6-month notice requirement. If your claim is against the D.C. government, you must provide written notice to the Mayor within 6 months of the injury under D.C. Code §12-309.
• Consult a D.C. attorney early. An attorney can identify which statute of limitations applies to your specific situation and whether any tolling provisions might extend your deadline.
• Do not rely on settlement negotiations to preserve your rights. The statute of limitations runs during negotiations. If talks stall, you may need to file suit to protect your claim.
• Keep records of all communications. Documentation of when you discovered an injury or defect can be critical if the discovery rule is at issue.

D.C. laws are always subject to change through action by the D.C. Council. While this guide reflects the law as of early 2026, consider verifying the specific statutes referenced here through the official D.C. Code or by consulting a licensed D.C. attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in the District of Columbia?

D.C. provides a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under D.C. Code §12-301(8). The clock starts on the date the injury was sustained. However, claims for assault, battery, false arrest, and false imprisonment have a shorter 1-year deadline under D.C. Code §12-301(4).

Is there a statute of limitations for murder in D.C.?

No. The District of Columbia does not impose any time limit on prosecuting first or second degree murder under D.C. Code §23-113(a)(1). Prosecutors may bring murder charges at any time, regardless of how many years have passed since the crime.

How long do I have to file a breach of contract claim in D.C.?

Simple contract claims (express or implied) must be filed within 3 years under D.C. Code §12-301(7). For contracts involving the sale of goods under the UCC, the deadline is 4 years under D.C. Code §28:2-725. Sealed instruments and bonds have a 12-year deadline under D.C. Code §12-301(6).

Can the statute of limitations be paused or extended in D.C.?

Yes. D.C. law provides several tolling provisions. The statute of limitations may be paused if the plaintiff has a legal disability such as being a minor (D.C. Code §12-302), if the defendant is absent from or concealed in D.C. (D.C. Code §12-303), or if the court has stayed the action (D.C. Code §12-304). The discovery rule can also delay the start of the clock if the injury was not immediately apparent.

What is the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases in D.C.?

For criminal prosecution, D.C. has no statute of limitations for first through fourth degree sexual abuse or child sexual abuse. For civil claims, victims who were abused before age 35 have until age 40 or 5 years from discovery (whichever is later), and victims abused at age 35 or older have 5 years or 5 years from discovery (whichever is later) under D.C. Code §12-301(11) and (12).