What is the statute of limitations for federal crimes?

The statute of limitations for most federal crimes is five years, according to the United States Department of Justice. The limit for certain crimes varies, usually depending on the severity of the crime.

Capital crimes that are punishable by death have no statute of limitations. The statute of limitations on noncapital crimes that involve terrorism is usually eight years, and the statute of limitations on white-collar crimes such as conspiracy or racketeering is usually 10 years, according to the United States Department of Justice. The classification of capital offenses varies between states, but usually includes murder, rape and treason, adds Cornell University.