Nevada Statutes of Limitations


Nevada Statutes of Limitations

“Statutes of limitations” 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, and they’re different from state to state. For example, in some states you may have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were hurt in car accident, but in other states you may have two years. 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)

Below are the statutes of limitations in Nevada for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn’t cover everything. Also, 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 Title 2, Chapter 11 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. You can scroll through the laws in this Chapter to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or “causes of action” not listed below.

Description Statute

Assault and Battery, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c)
Contract (in writing), 6 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(b)
Contract (oral or not in writing), 4 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(2)(c)
False Imprisonment, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c)
Fraud, 3 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c)
Enforcing Court Judgments, 6 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(a)
Legal Malpractice, 2 or 4 years (Depending on when the malpractice is “discovered.”) Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.207
Libel, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c)
Medical Malpractice, 2 or 4 years (Depending on when the malpractice is “discovered.”) Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41A.097(1)
Personal Injury, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e)
Product Liability, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e)
Property Damage, 3 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(c)
Slander, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c)
Trespass, 3 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(b)
Wrongful Death, 2 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e)

Criminal

Note: Most of the criminal statutes of limitations are in sections 171.080 through 171.100 in Title 14, Chapter 171 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. You can scroll through the criminal laws, which are in several Chapters in Title 15, to find crimes not listed below, and then use §§ 171.080 – 171.100 to find the statutes of limitations for those crimes.

Description Statute

Arson, 4 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(1)
Assault and Battery, 1, 2, or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(2) or Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.090(1) or (2)
Burglary, 4 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(1)
Disorderly Conduct (“Breach of Peace”), 1 year Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.090(2)
Kidnapping, 3 or 8 years (Depending on the facts of the case) Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 171.084(1) or 171.085(2)
Manslaughter, voluntary, 3 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(2)
Manslaughter, involuntary, 3 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(2)
Murder, first degree No time limit Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.080(1)
Murder, second degree, No time limit Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.080(1)
Rape (“Sexual Assault”), No time limit or 4 years (Depending on the facts of the case) Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 171.083 or 171.085(1)
Receiving Stolen Property, 4 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(1)
Robbery, 4 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(1)
Theft, 4 years Nev. Rev. Stat. § 171.085(1)

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