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

Overview

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations (often called the “SOL”) sets a deadline for when the Commonwealth can initiate a criminal case. For a Class D / 4th degree felony, Massachusetts generally uses a default SOL period of 6 years, rather than a separate, claim-type-specific rule tied to that classification.

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator helps you apply that deadline to real timelines (for example, “incident date” → “deadline date”), including common tolling scenarios you may want to check.

Limitation period

Default rule: 6 years for this felony level

Massachusetts’ general SOL for many non-capital felonies is governed by Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 63. Using the jurisdiction data provided for this article:

• General SOL period: 6 years
• General statute: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 63

The key takeaway is that, based on the information available here, no additional sub-rule for “Class D / 4th degree felony” was found. So the 6-year period is the starting point for analyzing timeliness.

What you typically calculate

Most timelines you’ll want to check follow this pattern:

• Start date: the date the offense occurred (or when the conduct is considered to have happened)
• End date: the last date by which the case may be commenced (under the relevant SOL framework)

To make the output usable, DocketMath’s calculator focuses on turning those dates into an actionable “deadline” view.

How calculator results can change

Even when the baseline is 6 years, real-world outcomes depend on whether any special circumstances extend or toll the SOL. In practice, calculator inputs generally affect:

• The baseline deadline (6 years from the offense date)
• Any tolling periods (time added to the deadline when permitted)
• Whether multiple events matter (for example, if there are different relevant dates)

Check your facts carefully—this is where many timeline disputes arise.

Quick timeline example (illustrative)

If the offense date is January 15, 2020 and no tolling applies:

• Baseline SOL = 6 years
• Deadline lands on approximately January 15, 2026 (exact day-counting depends on how the calculator implements date computation)

Use DocketMath to generate the exact result and see whether tolling inputs shift it.

Key exceptions

Massachusetts SOL questions often hinge on whether the SOL is tolling-eligible. Because SOL mechanics can be fact-intensive, use this section to orient what to look for—rather than to assume an outcome.

Common categories you should consider when evaluating whether time might be extended:

• Defendant-related absence or concealment
  If Massachusetts law permits the SOL clock to pause during certain periods attributable to the defendant’s status, that period may be added to the deadline.

• Some forms of procedural activity that affect timing
  Certain procedural steps can interact with SOL computation. The calculator can help you model the timeline, but it won’t replace legal judgment about whether the steps qualify for tolling under Massachusetts law.

• Jurisdictional and commencement details
  “Commencement” can depend on the method used to initiate the case (for example, how charges are filed and served). That can matter when comparing your computed deadline to real filing dates.

Practical checklist for gathering dates

Before you run the calculator, gather:

Even a single wrong date can shift a deadline by months or more.

Statute citation

The general/default statute of limitations referenced for this Massachusetts analysis is:

• Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 63 — general SOL period of 6 years

This article applies that statute as the default rule for a Class D / 4th degree felony based on the jurisdiction data provided here, with no separate class-specific sub-rule identified.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool here: /tools/statute-of-limitations.

A typical workflow:

1. Go to /tools/statute-of-limitations.
2. Enter the offense date (the clock start point for the default 6-year period).
3. Review any tolling-related inputs available in the tool.
4. Compare the calculated deadline to the relevant filing/commencement dates you have.

Inputs you should expect to matter

While the tool’s exact field names may vary, the analysis generally revolves around:

• Date of offense → sets the baseline under the 6-year rule
• Tolling switches / tolling periods → adds time if those circumstances are modeled
• Commencement or filing date → lets you see whether the filing is within the computed deadline

Outputs to look for

When you run the calculator, focus on:

• The computed SOL deadline (baseline + any tolling you selected)
• The difference between filing/commencement date and deadline (within/after)
• Any breakdown the tool provides showing how the deadline was constructed

Sources and references

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

• Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2

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