How long do I have to report harassment from someone that used to be a friend?

Criminal Law Topics
1

Hey, I’m dealing with a tough situation and was wondering how long I have to report harassment from someone who used to be a friend. It’s been a couple of months, and I’m not sure if I’m still within the time frame. Anyone know how long you can take before it’s too late to report something like this?

2

Sorry to hear you’re going through that. If you’re in California, the criminal statute of limitations for harassment is one year from the incident, so you still have some time to report it.

3

Jules said:
Sorry to hear you’re going through that. If you’re in California, the criminal statute of limitations for harassment is one year from the incident, so you still have some time to report it.

Wait, so does that mean I have one year from when it started or one year from the last time it happened? Not sure how it works exactly.

4

@Hadi
Great question! It’s usually one year from the last incident or the most recent act of harassment, but it’s best to check with a lawyer just to be sure.

5

Ty said:
If you’re not in California, the rules might be different. Some states have shorter or longer time frames, so I’d recommend looking up your state’s laws.

Thanks for the heads-up! I’m actually in California, so that’s helpful.

6

I dealt with something similar a few years ago. My lawyer told me the clock starts from the last incident, but don’t wait too long just in case.

7

Keaton said:
I dealt with something similar a few years ago. My lawyer told me the clock starts from the last incident, but don’t wait too long just in case.

Good to know! I’ve been a bit hesitant to report it, but maybe I should get on it soon.

8

Sorry you’re going through this, but it’s good that you’re thinking of reporting it. One year should give you some time to decide what to do. Just be sure to get any evidence you can!

9

IDK if this helps, but some states have specific laws for when the harassment happened vs. when you report it. Might be good to double-check with an expert.

10

Vale said:
IDK if this helps, but some states have specific laws for when the harassment happened vs. when you report it. Might be good to double-check with an expert.

Yeah, good idea. It’s always better to get legal advice in these situations to make sure you’re on the right track.