Can I be prosecuted for something from years ago?
Yes, for most offences. There is no general time limit for offences that can go to the Crown Court. Summary-only offences must usually be prosecuted within 6 months, with some exceptions, and many motoring offences need a warning or notice within 14 days.
No general limit for serious offences
For offences that can be tried in the Crown Court (either-way and indictable-only), there is no general time limit in England and Wales. The 6-month rule does not apply to them (Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 s.127(2)), though a few statutes set limits for particular offences.
Summary-only offences: 6 months
For summary-only offences (such as common assault and most minor motoring offences), proceedings must normally start within 6 months of the offence (s.127(1)). Exceptions include:
- Some motoring offences, including driving while disqualified or uninsured: within 6 months of the prosecutor having enough evidence, and no more than 3 years after the offence (Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 s.6).
- Common assault in a domestic abuse context: within 6 months of the complainant's formal statement or video interview, and within 2 years of the offence (Criminal Justice Act 1988 s.39A).
- Creating or requesting a sexual deepfake of an adult: the same 6-month and 3-year rule (Sexual Offences Act 2003 s.66H). The Crime and Policing Act 2026 extends this to sharing and taking intimate images, not yet in force at the time of writing.
Historic allegations
- You are charged under the law in force at the time, so older cases can involve repealed offences, such as under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
- At sentence, judges use current guidelines to assess harm and culpability but cannot exceed the maximum sentence available at the time. If you were under 18 then, your age at the time is taken into account.
Delay and abuse of process
A court will stay a prosecution for delay only exceptionally, where serious prejudice means a fair trial is impossible (Attorney General's Reference (No 1 of 1990) [1992] QB 630; R v F(S) [2011] EWCA Crim 1844). Lost evidence and fading memories are usually dealt with at trial through the judge's directions.
Motoring: the 14-day notice
For offences such as speeding, careless or dangerous driving and ignoring traffic signs or directions, you cannot be convicted unless you were warned at the time, or a summons or notice of intended prosecution was served on you or the registered keeper within 14 days (Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 s.1). Service is presumed unless you prove otherwise. The rule does not apply if there was an accident at the time or a fixed penalty notice was given, and late service is excused if the keeper could not reasonably be traced or your own conduct caused the delay (s.2).
Getting advice
Legal advice at a police interview is free, including about old allegations.
Authorities: Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 s.127; Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 ss.1, 2, 6 and Sch 1; Criminal Justice Act 1988 s.39A; Sexual Offences Act 2003 s.66H; Crime and Policing Act 2026 Sch 13 para 8 (not yet in force); Attorney General's Reference (No 1 of 1990) [1992] QB 630; R v F(S) [2011] EWCA Crim 1844; CPS legal guidance, Abuse of Process; Sentencing Council, How sentencing of historic offenders works