What is the statute of limitations for a misdemeanor?

• A. Five years
• B. One year
• C. Ten years
• D. No time limit

Answer: (B)

The main thing being tested is how long prosecutors have to bring charges for a misdemeanor, i.e., the statute of limitations for lesser offenses. For misdemeanors, the typical period is one year. This shorter window reflects their lesser severity compared with felonies, which usually have longer limits. In practice, the clock usually starts when the offense occurs (and sometimes can be influenced by discovery rules or tolling due to certain circumstances), but the default idea is that the criminal case must be brought within about a year. The other options—five years or ten years—are more commonly associated with longer felonies or specific offenses, while “no time limit” applies in limited, grave cases in some jurisdictions. So one year is the standard answer for a misdemeanor.