Statute of Limitations for False Arrest / False Imprisonment in New York

Overview

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

In New York, the statute of limitations (SOL) for false arrest / false imprisonment claims is generally 5 years under N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 30.10(2)(c).

This page covers the general/default period. Based on the jurisdiction data provided, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found—so you should treat 5 years as the starting point unless your situation clearly triggers a different rule (see “Key exceptions”).

A practical way to think about this: if the relevant events for your claim occur on Day 0, then the filing deadline is typically 5 years later, counted from the relevant accrual date. Because accrual is often fact-specific, the next step is to run your dates through DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator to map your timeline to a deadline.

Limitation period

The default SOL period is 5 years. The governing general statute provided is:

• N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 30.10(2)(c) — General SOL period: 5 years
  Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CPL/30.10

What the 5-year period means in practice

Use this timeline logic to frame your filing deadline:

• Start point (accrual date): the date your claim accrues (often tied to when the unlawful restraint ends or when the alleged wrongful conduct concludes, depending on your claim theory and the facts).
• End point (deadline): 5 years from the accrual date for filing.

How to avoid deadline confusion

Before you calculate, confirm which date you will use:

• Incident date: when the arrest/detention occurred
• End of confinement date: when the alleged unlawful restraint ended
• Accrual date: the date you believe the claim legally “began” for SOL purposes

These dates are not always the same. If you select the wrong “start” date category, the calculated deadline can shift.

Quick disclaimer: This is general information about how SOL timing is commonly approached; it’s not legal advice. If you’re unsure what your accrual date is on your facts, running multiple plausible dates in the calculator can help you understand risk windows.

Key exceptions

New York SOL timing can be affected by doctrines such as tolling, certain procedural rules, or other legal concepts that change the effective deadline.

However, the jurisdiction data provided here identifies only the general/default period (5 years) and explicitly notes that no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found. So, on this page:

• The baseline answer is 5 years under N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 30.10(2)(c).
• You should still check whether your facts involve tolling or another exception that could extend or otherwise alter the effective deadline.

Practical fact categories to double-check

Even without a claim-type-specific SOL rule identified, these are common timing factors that can change when a clock starts or whether it pauses:

• Knowledge / discovery timing: whether key facts were discovered later (relevant in some legal contexts).
• Legal disabilities or incapacity: certain conditions can toll deadlines depending on the claim framework.
• Government involvement / special procedural routes: can bring different timing mechanics in other contexts.

What DocketMath can do for you here

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator helps you turn a selected start/accrual date into a clear baseline deadline using the default 5-year period. If an exception might apply, the common workflow is:

1. Calculate a baseline deadline with the 5-year default.
2. Then, if you know an exception is relevant, adjust your timing accordingly and re-run the calculation with the correct effective start/end logic.

Statute citation

The general/default SOL period stated in the jurisdiction data is:

• N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 30.10(2)(c) — 5 years
  https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CPL/30.10

How to read this reference quickly

For SOL planning, focus on:

• Statute section: **§ 30.10(2)(c)
• Period stated: 5 years (general/default rule)
• Jurisdiction: **New York (US-NY)

And because the brief indicates no additional claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, use 5 years as the baseline for this page.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath to compute your deadline from your chosen start date and the default 5-year SOL period.

Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

Typical calculator inputs (what to provide)

In the DocketMath statute-of-limitations tool, you’ll generally select or enter items like:

• **Accrual date (or your selected SOL start date)
• Jurisdiction: US-NY
• Baseline period: 5 years (for the general/default rule)
• (If prompted) a claim category that best matches the form you’re preparing

How the output changes when dates shift

Small changes in your selected start date can change your deadline meaningfully. For example:

• If your accrual date is Jan 15, 2020, a 5-year deadline typically falls around Jan 15, 2025 (subject to legal counting rules and any exception effects).
• If you use Feb 1, 2020 instead, the deadline typically shifts to about Feb 1, 2025.

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — How to choose the right calculator
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — How to choose the right calculator