Here Is What Is Happening In Alabama
Civil Statute of Limitations
Discovery Rule:  No
Limitations Period:  Age 19 + 2 years
Tolling:  Yes
  • 2-year Statute of Limitations for Suits Based on Sexual Abuse : Actions for most injuries may be brought within 2 years. There is no general statutory exception for sex-related actions. Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l).
     
  • Delayed Tolling for Minors: 19 years old + 2 years. Ala. Code § 6-2-8.
     
  • No Discovery Rule : The Alabama Supreme Court has declined to allow an action based on sexual abuse when suppressed memories of the event surface after the statute of limitations had run out. See Travis v. Ziter, 681 So. 2d 1348 (Ala. 1996).
Criminal Statute of Limitations
Limitations Period: 1 year from the commission of the offense for misdemeanors
3 years from the commission of the offense for victims age 16-18
1 year from the commission of the offense for misdemeanors
Tolling:  No
Exceptions  No
  • No Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses Against Victims Less Than 16 Years Old: Ala. Code § 15-3-5(4).

  • For older victims, most sexual offenses are classified as felonies, which generally have a
    3-year statute of limitations. Ala. Code § 15-3-1; see §§ 13A-6-60 through -70.

  • A small number of sexual offenses are misdemeanors (§ 15-3-2), which have a 1-year statute of limitations.
News Coverage
Date Title Author Source PDF
8/23/2003 The Era of Entitlement:
What Alabama Judge Roy Moore, File "Sharers," and the Catholic Church Have in Common 		Marci Hamilton Find Law
State Outreach Organizations
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: Alabama

View ALL Nationwide Outreach Organizations
Contact Your Representative
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Statute of Limitations: Footer
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