Certain offenses in California carry no time restriction regarding when prosecution can commence. This means that, regardless of how much time has passed since the alleged crime occurred, charges can still be filed and pursued in court. Murder, for example, is one of these offenses, ensuring that those accused of taking a life can be held accountable regardless of the years that may have elapsed.
The absence of a deadline for initiating legal action in these specific cases reflects the gravity of the crimes and the enduring need to seek justice for victims and their families. This policy also acknowledges that evidence and witnesses may surface long after the act was committed, providing opportunities for resolution that might otherwise be lost. Historically, this approach has been reserved for offenses considered particularly heinous and disruptive to societal order.
