Statute of Limitations for Class B / 2nd Degree Felony in Utah

Overview

In Utah, the statute of limitations (SOL) sets a deadline for the state to file criminal charges for many offenses. For a Class B / 2nd degree felony, Utah does not carve out a special SOL rule based solely on “class” in the general SOL framework you’ll find in Utah’s criminal procedure resources. Instead, Utah uses a general/default SOL period for felonies that fits the charge.

Based on Utah’s general SOL rule, the applicable deadline for a Class B / 2nd degree felony is 4 years—unless a recognized exception or tolling rule applies.

For a quick, practical way to measure timing, DocketMath provides a statute-of-limitations calculator designed for deadline counting and scenario changes. Use it here: /tools/statute-of-limitations

• Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

Limitation period

Default rule: 4 years under Utah’s general SOL period

Utah Code § 76-1-302 establishes the general SOL time limits for criminal prosecutions. Utah’s public legal-help guidance also summarizes the general framework, listing a 4-year limitation period for the applicable category referenced by that general rule.

Because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for Class B / 2nd degree felony beyond the general rule, the default period you should start with is:

• General SOL period (default): 4 years
• General statute: Utah Code § 76-1-302

How “4 years” typically gets used (counting approach)

When you evaluate whether charges are timely, you generally compare:

1. Trigger event (most commonly the date the alleged offense occurred), and
2. Filing event (most commonly the date charges were filed or a charging instrument was issued—your case documents control this detail)

Then you ask whether the filing date falls within the 4-year window.

Because SOL calculations depend heavily on the exact dates and on whether tolling applies, DocketMath’s calculator is built to let you model timing accurately.

What can change the outcome

Even when the default SOL is 4 years, the clock can change due to:

• Tolling (pauses in the SOL clock under certain circumstances)
• Exceptions (offense categories or special procedural circumstances)
• Accrual changes (when the clock starts later than the offense date—where recognized)

You should treat “4 years” as the baseline, then verify whether any exception/tolling facts apply.

Key exceptions

Utah’s SOL scheme includes exceptions and tolling concepts, and in practice these are the points where cases often turn. While this post focuses on the default Class B / 2nd degree felony period, you should still check for common categories of SOL-impacting issues:

• Tolling due to defendant unavailability

  • If the defendant is absent or otherwise not amenable to prosecution, the SOL may be affected under Utah’s general tolling principles.
• Tolling during certain procedural events

  • Some court actions or custody/notice circumstances can pause or alter SOL counting.
• Special circumstances that change when the prosecution period starts

  • In some contexts, the “start date” is not automatically the same as the alleged act date.

Practical checklist for exception review:

• Identify the alleged offense date (or the date alleged in the charging document)
• Identify the date charges were filed/initiated (not just arrest)
• Check whether the record mentions tolling, warrant issuance, out-of-state status, absences, or other SOL-affecting factors
• Verify whether any special offense category is implicated that could shift away from the default general SOL period

If you don’t see any references to tolling or exceptions in the case record, you typically start from the 4-year default and then test whether the timelines still align.

Statute citation

• Utah Code § 76-1-302 — general statute of limitations framework for criminal prosecutions in Utah
• Utah’s legal-help procedure summary also reflects the general/default SOL period of 4 years:

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

What to remember about this statute citation

• The 4-year general SOL period applies as the baseline for the discussed felony category under the general framework.
• This article uses the general/default period because no additional “class-based” sub-rule was identified beyond the general SOL rule for Class B / 2nd degree felonies.

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator helps you model the deadline using the dates from your record, then see how the timeline changes as you adjust inputs.

What to enter (typical)

When using the calculator, you’ll usually provide:

• Alleged offense date (or the date alleged)
• Date charges were filed/initiated (the key comparison date)
• Optional tolling/exception flags if the calculator supports those scenario inputs

How outputs change

As you update dates:

• If you move the filing date later past the computed deadline, the tool will flag a likely SOL timing problem under the selected assumptions.
• If you move the offense date earlier/later, the computed SOL deadline shifts accordingly.
• If tolling/exception assumptions are enabled, the SOL deadline may extend, reflecting paused counting periods.

Recommended workflow

• Step 1: Run the calculator using default assumptions (4-year general period).
• Step 2: If the record suggests tolling/exception facts, rerun using the relevant options the tool provides.
• Step 3: Save the result and compare it against the dates shown in the court docket and charging documents.

Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — Tool comparison
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — How-to guide
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — Tool comparison