Statute of Limitations for Class D / 4th Degree Felony in Kentucky

Overview

Kentucky’s statute of limitations (SOL) sets a deadline for the Commonwealth to file criminal charges. If that deadline passes, the case can be dismissed on timeliness grounds—assuming no exception applies.

For a Class D felony in Kentucky (often referenced as “4th degree felony” in everyday language), the key question is: how long does Kentucky allow before prosecution must be started?

Based on Kentucky’s general limitations rule, the answer is straightforward: Kentucky uses a default/“general” SOL period of 5 years under KRS 500.020, and no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for this topic beyond that general framework. In other words, you should treat 5 years as the baseline start-to-file deadline unless an exception changes it.

Limitation period

Default SOL for a Class D / 4th degree felony (Kentucky)

Kentucky’s general rule provides:

• General SOL period: 5 years
• General statute governing the period: KRS 500.020

Because no class/D-specific shorter or longer rule was found for this request, the 5-year general period is the default. That means the prosecution deadline typically runs from the relevant trigger date used in Kentucky’s limitations analysis (commonly the date of the offense, though particular procedural facts can matter).

How this affects real timelines

Think of the SOL as a countdown clock. Two practical consequences often show up in case review:

1. Filing date matters. The clock is about when prosecution is commenced (not when an arrest occurred, not when an allegation became known, and not when a victim reported—unless those facts align with the legal trigger).
2. Delay can be decisive. If the charging decision or indictment falls outside the SOL period, the defense may raise a timeliness challenge—subject to any exceptions.

Quick scenario examples (using the default)

Below are simple illustrations using the 5-year default. These are not legal advice; they’re meant to show how outcomes can change as the filing date moves.

If a case falls exactly on the boundary, the precise calculation can depend on how Kentucky measures the relevant date(s). That’s where a calculator becomes useful.

Key exceptions

Even when the general rule says “5 years,” the SOL clock is not always a strict, uninterrupted countdown. Kentucky recognizes situations that can pause, toll (delay), or otherwise affect limitations timing. Since this page is built around the general/default SOL, the exceptions here are framed as the categories you should check rather than an exhaustive list.

What to look for

When you’re assessing whether a Class D felony prosecution could be time-barred (again, not giving legal advice), verify whether any of the following may apply:

• Tolling or suspension events that pause the running of time
• Proceedings that affect the limitation clock, such as certain court actions or changes in the status of the prosecution
• Situations tied to the defendant or the case that alter when limitations begin or how they run

Because exceptions are fact-sensitive and can turn on procedural history (dates of filings, pleadings, and the exact sequence of events), it’s smart to document:

• offense date(s)
• arrest date (if any)
• complaint/charging date(s)
• indictment date(s)
• any continuances or case events that might affect timing

Practical checklist for case review

Use this checklist to guide your timeline audit:

Statute citation

The general statute establishing Kentucky’s default felony statute of limitations period is:

• KRS 500.020 — General SOL period of 5 years

This page uses that rule as the default because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for a Kentucky Class D / 4th degree felony in the materials used for this build.

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool helps you convert the legal rule into a concrete deadline calculation: /tools/statute-of-limitations .

To use it:

1. Go to /tools/statute-of-limitations
2. Enter:

   • Offense date (the event date you’re testing)
   • Jurisdiction: **Kentucky (US-KY)
   • Offense classification: Class D felony / 4th degree felony (mapped to the general/default SOL in this tool’s logic)
3. Review the output:

   • Calculated SOL end date (based on the general 5-year rule from KRS 500.020)
   • Whether the charging date falls inside or outside the window (depending on what dates you provide)

How outputs change when inputs change

Use these quick “what-if” reminders when interpreting results:

• If you move the charging date forward past the computed end date, the tool will indicate outside SOL (baseline).
• If you move the offense date forward (keeping the same charging date), the SOL end date shifts forward by the same relative amount.
• If the case involves possible tolling/exception events, a raw calculator output may not capture it—so the result should be treated as a starting point for timeline analysis, not the final word.

For the best workflow, pair the calculator result with your timeline notes:

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

Sources and references

Start with the primary authority for Kentucky and confirm the effective date before relying on any output. If the rule has been amended, update the inputs and rerun the calculation.

• Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140

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