Statute of Limitations for False Arrest / False Imprisonment in Michigan

5 min read

Published April 8, 2026 • By DocketMath Team

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — verify all citations with current official sources.

Overview

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

In Michigan, the statute of limitations (SOL) for bringing a civil claim for false arrest / false imprisonment is generally 6 years, based on the general limitations statute MCL § 767.24(1).

For many cases, that means the “clock starts ticking” from the date of the alleged unlawful arrest or confinement. In practice, the exact start date can depend on the facts (for example, when the confinement began or when it ended), but the planning baseline is the general 6-year rule.

Note: This page covers the general/default SOL Michigan uses for these claims. Michigan’s limitations framework can involve special timing rules (like tolling or other effects), so the effective deadline can differ depending on your situation.

If you want to compute a deadline quickly using the general rule (without doing the math yourself), DocketMath can help you apply the timing to your dates.

Limitation period

Michigan’s general SOL period is 6 years, using the default statute MCL § 767.24(1).

What you typically calculate

You usually identify:

Start date (accrual): commonly the date the alleged restraint began (i.e., the arrest/confinement date).
End date (deadline): the date by which the claim must be filed—generally start date + 6 years.
Deadline standard: the claim is generally timely if filed before the expiration of the 6-year period.

How the deadline shifts when dates change

Because this is a “6 years from start date” calculation, changing the start date changes the deadline in a predictable way:

Move the start date forward → the filing deadline moves forward.
Move the start date back → the filing deadline moves back.

No claim-type-specific sub-rule found (general rule applies)

For this topic, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for a different limitations period. That means the 6-year general/default SOL under MCL § 767.24(1) is the baseline rule to use for planning purposes.

Key exceptions

Even with a clear general rule, your effective deadline can change due to recognized statutory or procedural timing effects. These can include:

1) Tolling (pausing the clock)

Michigan law can sometimes pause a limitations period for certain qualifying circumstances defined by statute (commonly framed as “tolling” for specific legal situations, such as certain disabilities). Whether tolling applies depends on the facts and the statutory conditions.

2) Procedural history (dismissal/refiling scenarios)

If there was a prior lawsuit involving the same general matter, procedural events may affect timing in ways that aren’t obvious from the general SOL rule alone. (The safest approach is to confirm whether any refiling/timing mechanism applies to your specific procedural posture.)

3) Related criminal proceedings (do not assume automatic civil tolling)

A criminal case may involve different deadlines and timelines, but the civil SOL generally does not automatically extend just because a criminal matter ran longer.

Warning: Don’t assume that “because the criminal case ended later, the civil deadline must move.” The baseline civil deadline remains the 6-year general rule under MCL § 767.24(1) unless a recognized tolling/exception rule applies to your facts.

4) Accrual / “start date” disputes

Many timing disputes turn on identifying the correct accrual date—for example, whether the relevant date is the first moment of restraint, the duration of confinement, or another fact-dependent date tied to when the claim accrued.

Statute citation

6-year general statute of limitations: MCL § 767.24(1) (Michigan Compiled Laws)

Jurisdiction data for this page:

General SOL Period: 6 years
General Statute: MCL § 767.24(1)
Source: https://www.michigan.gov

Because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was identified for this topic, the 6-year general/default period is the baseline rule for false arrest / false imprisonment timing in Michigan, unless a separate tolling or exception applies.

Use the calculator

You can use DocketMath’s Statute of Limitations calculator here: /tools/statute-of-limitations

What to input

Typically, you will provide:

Date of alleged false arrest / false imprisonment (the start date you’re using under the general rule)

Some calculators also ask for a proposed filing date so it can determine whether a filing would be on time or late.

How the output changes

Change the event/start date → the calculated SOL deadline moves accordingly (based on the 6-year general rule).
Enter a proposed filing date (if prompted) → the tool can indicate whether that date falls before or after the computed deadline.

Practical workflow checklist

Gentle disclaimer: This tool and this page are for general information and planning. They are not legal advice, and complex timing/tolling issues can require a more detailed analysis of your facts.