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

Overview

In Michigan, the statute of limitations (SOL) sets the maximum time the state has to start a criminal case after an alleged offense. For a Class D / 4th degree felony, Michigan generally uses a default SOL—meaning the general limitations rule applies unless a specific exception changes the timeline.

For this offense category, DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is designed to reflect the general rule you can verify directly in Michigan law. Based on the jurisdiction data provided, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for Class D / 4th degree felonies, so this page focuses on the general/default period.

Limitation period

Michigan’s general SOL for felonies in the “default” category

General SOL period: 6 years for the default rule.
General statute: MCL § 767.24(1).

Practically, that means the prosecution must generally file the charging information/indictment (or otherwise commence the criminal proceeding) within 6 years of the relevant starting point recognized under Michigan’s statute-of-limitations scheme.

How to think about the “start” date

Michigan SOLs are calculated based on the statute’s timing rules tied to the offense and when the prosecution is considered to have been “brought.” The two dates you’ll typically see when using an SOL calculator are:

• Alleged offense date (or the date of last conduct, depending on how the charge is framed)
• Filing/charging date (the date the case was initiated, such as the date of information/indictment in many contexts)

If you plug in a charging date more than 6 years after the offense date, the output will generally indicate the case is time-barred under the default rule—unless a listed exception or tolling event applies.

What changes the result

Your SOL outcome can shift if any exception applies. Even when the default is 6 years, Michigan recognizes circumstances that can delay or extend the limitations period (often described as “tolling” or “commencement/timing exceptions”).

To use the calculator efficiently, gather:

• The offense date you’re measuring from
• The charging/commencement date you’re comparing against
• Any known facts that might trigger an exception (for example, whether the defendant was absent from the state, or whether there was a legal reason the limitations clock didn’t run normally)

Check the “Key exceptions” section below to see the types of events Michigan commonly treats as SOL modifiers.

Key exceptions

Michigan’s SOL framework includes situations where the limitations period can be affected. Even when the base rule is 6 years under MCL § 767.24(1), the final answer in a real case depends on whether an exception applies.

Because exceptions are highly fact-dependent and can involve different statutory language and procedural posture, this section outlines the core exception categories to look for—then shows how they affect calculator inputs/outputs conceptually.

Common exception patterns to look for

Review these as “checklist items” when determining whether the default 6-year period is likely controlling:

• Tolling due to unavailability/absence

  • If the defendant is not available for prosecution in a way recognized by Michigan law, the running of the SOL may be suspended or altered.
• Events that legally delay commencement

  • Some procedural circumstances can change when limitations is measured from or whether the prosecution is treated as timely.
• Defects in the charging process

  • In some jurisdictions, specific amendments or re-filings can affect limitations calculations; Michigan has statutory rules that sometimes address how filings relate back to earlier charging. (Exact outcomes depend on charge structure and timing.)

How exceptions change DocketMath outputs

When you use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator:

• If no exception applies, the tool will apply the default 6-year limitations period tied to MCL § 767.24(1).
• If you identify an exception fact pattern, the tool’s output will generally reflect an adjusted timeline (for example, extending the measured period or shifting the effective start/end depending on the input structure).

To keep your calculation defensible and repeatable, document your chosen dates and any exception assumptions you select.

Statute citation

Michigan’s default statute of limitations rule for this general felony category is:

• MCL § 767.24(1) — General SOL Period: 6 years

This page uses the general/default period because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found in the provided jurisdiction data for Class D / 4th degree felonies. As a result, the 6-year period is treated as the baseline for the calculator and the reference summary here.

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator helps you translate the default rule into a clear “timely vs. potentially time-barred” result based on dates. Start here: **/tools/statute-of-limitations

Inputs to provide

Use these inputs (naming may vary slightly in the UI):

• Offense date (or last date of the alleged conduct)
• Charging/filing date (date the case was commenced/charged)
• Jurisdiction selection: **Michigan (US-MI)
• Offense category: Class D / 4th degree felony (so the calculator applies the general/default 6-year period)

Output you should expect

Typically, you’ll see:

• The measured SOL window (the end date based on a 6-year calculation from the offense date, subject to calculator logic)
• A timeliness indication (e.g., within 6 years vs. beyond 6 years under the default rule)
• Any exception/tolling adjustments if you select relevant modifiers

How outputs change when dates change (quick examples)

• Move the charging date earlier by 1–2 months:
  If the charging date crosses into the 6-year window, the output can flip from “beyond the SOL” to “within the SOL” (under default rules).
• Move the offense date later by several months:
  That can also shift the 6-year endpoint forward, sometimes turning a seemingly late filing into a timely one.
• Apply an exception modifier (when facts support it):
  The calculator may extend the effective deadline, potentially changing “time-barred” to “timely” under the adjusted timeline.

If you’re unsure what date to use, rely on the specific dates reflected in the charging paperwork and incident timeline you have—not estimates.

Sources and references

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

• MCL § 600.5807

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