Criminal Statutes of Limitations in Wisconsin

General rule: felonies must be prosecuted within 6 years after commission; misdemeanors (and adultery) within 3 years. No limitation (prosecution may be commenced at any time): first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, felony murder, second-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault, first-degree sexual assault of a child, certain repeated sexual assault of the same child, and attempts at listed offenses. Other periods: second-degree reckless homicide, 15 years; second-degree sexual assault, 20 years; third-degree sexual assault and human trafficking, 10 years; many child sex offenses must be prosecuted before the victim reaches age 45 (others before age 26). DNA-match extensions apply, and time is excluded while the person is not publicly a resident of Wisconsin.