This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

the District of Columbia — Statute of Limitations

✓ verified

1 year

Statute of limitations for slander

D.C. Code § 12-301

Calculate for your specific situation:

Incident Date

Discovery Date

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Slander Statute Of Limitations in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia’s statute of limitations for a slander claim is governed by D.C. Code § 12-301, which establishes a three-year filing period. This means a plaintiff must initiate a slander lawsuit within three years from the date the allegedly defamatory statement was published. The official statutory text, accessible at the cited source, sets out the specific limitations and any applicable exceptions. The worked example below demonstrates how this three-year period applies to a typical slander claim. To estimate the deadline for a particular situation, the calculator on this page applies the statutory rule to the user’s provided dates.

Governing authority

In the District of Columbia, the statute of limitations rule is set by D.C. Code § 12-301. The verified packet cites D.C. Code § 12-301 (https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/12-301).

Deadline example

For a the District of Columbia slander limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 3 years. The authority packet cites D.C. Code § 12-301 (https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/12-301).

Example inputs:

• Accrual date: 2024-04-25
• Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

• Start with the accrual date.
• Add 3 years.
• The example deadline is 2027-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the slander statute of limitations calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.