If the statute of limitations on a crime expires, can it be "un-expired" afterwards?

[RandomPoster]

Let's say a person stole a car 20 years ago and the statute of limitations where he lives happens to be 15 years for that particular crime, so the statute of limitations has expired. Can lawmakers simply after the fact change the statute of limitations to 25 years and then prosecute him?

Also, let's say someone commits a murder in a state with no death penalty. A month after the crime has been committed, his state reinstates the death penalty. His trial drags on and he gets convicted a year after committing the crime. Can the judge give him the death penalty?

 

[miketx]

If we have learned anything it's that the law can do whatever it wants and people will go "ok".

 

[Rambunctious]

Let's say a person stole a car 20 years ago and the statute of limitations where he lives happens to be 15 years for that particular crime, so the statute of limitations has expired. Can lawmakers simply after the fact change the statute of limitations to 25 years and then prosecute him?

Also, let's say someone commits a murder in a state with no death penalty. A month after the crime has been committed, his state reinstates the death penalty. His trial drags on and he gets convicted a year after committing the crime. Can the judge give him the death penalty?

I say no to both but with political hacks in black robes who the hell knows....

 

[martybegan]

Let's say a person stole a car 20 years ago and the statute of limitations where he lives happens to be 15 years for that particular crime, so the statute of limitations has expired. Can lawmakers simply after the fact change the statute of limitations to 25 years and then prosecute him?

Also, let's say someone commits a murder in a state with no death penalty. A month after the crime has been committed, his state reinstates the death penalty. His trial drags on and he gets convicted a year after committing the crime. Can the judge give him the death penalty?

To me it reeks of ex post facto law, which is unconstitutional.

 

[Billy_Bob]

Let's say a person stole a car 20 years ago and the statute of limitations where he lives happens to be 15 years for that particular crime, so the statute of limitations has expired. Can lawmakers simply after the fact change the statute of limitations to 25 years and then prosecute him?

Also, let's say someone commits a murder in a state with no death penalty. A month after the crime has been committed, his state reinstates the death penalty. His trial drags on and he gets convicted a year after committing the crime. Can the judge give him the death penalty?

ex post facto laws are prohibited in our Constitution. The law on the books at the time of commission of the crime determines the time frame..