Statute of limitations for sexual assault in Utah

Rule or statute summary

Run this scenario in DocketMath using the Statute Of Limitations calculator.

In Utah, many criminal prosecutions must be started within a set “statute of limitations” (SOL) period. For sexual assault, Utah applies a general/default SOL rule when there is no specific, claim-type-specific SOL rule identified for the offense in the materials used here.

Utah’s general/default rule (4 years)

Utah’s general criminal SOL period is 4 years, set out in Utah Code § 76-1-302. Put simply: if no different SOL provision or exception applies, the prosecution deadline is calculated using that 4-year default window.

How DocketMath’s calculator fits in

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator (tool name: DocketMath) helps you model the SOL timeline by working from key dates—most commonly the event date (often the alleged offense date). The output is a practical date-range estimate (e.g., “latest modeled filing date”), not a guarantee that a particular case outcome will depend solely on that date.

Important note / scope: This summary covers Utah’s general/default criminal SOL rule. If a different SOL provision (or an exception) applies due to the exact charge, classification, or procedural posture, the timeline may change.

Citations

Use these sources to confirm the authoritative text before finalizing the calculation.

• Utah Code § 78B-2-307

If an assumption is uncertain, document it alongside the calculation so the result can be re-run later.

Capture the source for each input so another team member can verify the same result quickly.

Utah general SOL rule (default)

• Utah Code § 76-1-302 — establishes Utah’s general statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions, including the 4-year default period used when no more specific rule applies.
• Utah Courts self-help overview (SOL explanation and pointers to statutory authority): https://www.utcourts.gov/en/legal-help/legal-help/procedures/statute-limitation.html

Source used for general SOL framing

Utah Courts provides a consolidated explanation of SOL concepts and points readers back to relevant statutes (including Utah Code § 76-1-302).

• https://www.utcourts.gov/en/legal-help/legal-help/procedures/statute-limitation.html

Use the calculator

You can try DocketMath’s SOL calculator here: /tools/statute-of-limitations.

Run the Statute Of Limitations calculation in DocketMath, then save the output so it can be audited later: Open the calculator.

When rules change, rerun the calculation with updated inputs and store the revision in the matter record.

What to enter (inputs that usually matter)

SOL timing turns on dates. To model Utah’s default 4-year SOL window, the most important input is typically:

• Event date (start date):
  Use the date of the alleged sexual assault conduct (or the date the relevant conduct is alleged to have occurred), i.e., the date you want the SOL clock to start from.
• Assumed SOL period:
  Use 4 years as the default SOL period tied to Utah Code § 76-1-302, unless you have a reason to apply a different statutory period.

How the output changes when inputs change

In a basic “default SOL = 4 years” model, the deadline shifts in a predictable way:

• If you move the event date forward or backward, the latest modeled filing date generally shifts by the same amount.
• The calculator’s output should be treated as an estimate of the modeled boundary, not a substitute for a charge-specific SOL analysis.

Example (modeled with the 4-year default)

Below is a simple illustration of the concept (using latest = start + 4 years):

What this is—and isn’t:

• ✅ It’s a practical way to understand how event date drives the modeled deadline under the default rule.
• ❌ It’s not a guarantee that the legal deadline is that date in a real case. A full analysis can require checking charge-specific rules, exceptions, and any doctrines that affect when the SOL begins to run.

Gentle guidance (not legal advice)

• Use DocketMath to estimate the SOL deadline using Utah’s default 4-year rule in Utah Code § 76-1-302.
• If you have multiple alleged dates, amended charges, or other procedural complications, treat the calculator result as a starting point for further review rather than a final answer.
• If you’re building documentation for intake, records requests, or internal timelines, the calculator can help you produce a consistent date range you can reference.

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — How to choose the right calculator
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — How to choose the right calculator