{"id":11728,"date":"2024-10-09T17:05:42","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T15:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/rape-when-does-the-statute-of-limitations-apply\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:16:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:16:18","slug":"rape-when-does-the-statute-of-limitations-apply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/guide\/rape-when-does-the-statute-of-limitations-apply\/","title":{"rendered":"Rape: When does the statute of limitations apply?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"11728\" class=\"elementor elementor-11728 elementor-9266\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33f7ec6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"33f7ec6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ded61c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ded61c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An allegation of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/sexual-criminal-law-what-can-those-affected-expect-in-cases-of-rape\/\"><b>rape<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is usually particularly serious. Such an accusation or report can not only have significant criminal consequences but can also affect one&#8217;s entire life. While criminal law cannot cushion the social consequences of such an act, the legally regulated <\/span><b>statute of limitations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is intended to ensure that legal peace is eventually restored.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accused individuals should not have to live their entire lives with the worry of being charged with a crime\u2014which they may not have committed. There are two different types of rape that must be considered. In this article, we will show you when this <\/span><b>statute of limitations for rape<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> applies and which deadlines must be observed.<\/span> <\/p><p><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9af7abc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9af7abc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e107fb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e107fb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Do you require legal assistance?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To assert the statute of limitations in proceedings, active involvement is required so that the case can be dismissed. We are by your side to ensure that you are not prosecuted for a crime that has long since lapsed. We offer comprehensive advice and representation\u2014both in and out of court. Do not hesitate to contact our lawyers for a non-binding initial consultation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80c024c galery__number e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80c024c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c29f2af e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c29f2af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d50029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8d50029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Let's talk!<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62a0d5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62a0d5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Call us anytime at:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1235b09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1235b09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"tel:+497118498770\">+49 (0) 711 - 8498770<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cbd4ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cbd4ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Or leave us your name and phone number, and our experts will call you back.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cb74c0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8cb74c0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3e92ba premium-cf7-button-fwidth-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-premium-contact-form\" data-id=\"c3e92ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"premium-contact-form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"premium-cf7-container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;fields_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;submit_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f11466-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"11466\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11728#wpcf7-f11466-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"11466\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f11466-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Full Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"Name\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Telefonnummer\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Callback Number\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"Telefonnummer\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-69f504d8f1888-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap Protection-321-wrap\" style=\"display:none !important; visibility:hidden !important;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-start\" value=\"1777665240\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-check\" value=\"4\"><input id=\"wpcf7-69f504d8f1888-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"Protection-321\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Callback\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5bc80f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b5bc80f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When does rape occur? <\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rape is regulated in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stgb\/__177.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 177 (6) of the German Criminal Code (StGB)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and concerns cases in which a person performs sexual intercourse, has it performed, or carries out or has carried out similar humiliating sexual acts against the will of the victim.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These acts are considered particularly serious if they especially humiliate the victim. This is particularly the case if they involve penetration of the body\u2014regardless of whether this is done with a body part or an object. Rape thus represents a particularly serious case of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/sexual-coercion-what-is-the-potential-penalty\/\"><b>sexual assault<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Section 177 StGB).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For rape to occur, the <\/span><b>opposing will<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the victim, i.e., the other person, must be present. Since the 2017 criminal law reform, the requirements in this context have been lowered, so that criminal behavior already exists if the opposing will is ignored\u2014the use of force or threats is no longer required.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decisive factor is that the opposing will is recognizable from the perspective of an <\/span><b>objective third party<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As soon as it becomes clear that the other person does not consent to the sexual acts, this can constitute rape. This is the case in clear instances such as an express &#8220;no&#8221; or physical resistance by the victim.<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find more about <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/sexual-criminal-law\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual criminal law<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other offenses on our site.<\/span><\/i> <\/p><h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the potential penalty? <\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Section 177 (6) StGB, the sentence for rape will range between <\/span><b>2 and 15 years of imprisonment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A fine is not provided for.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cases resulting in death (Section 178 StGB), where the victim dies at least through negligence as a result of the act, the sentence can even be <\/span><b>life imprisonment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exact circumstances of the act, the severity of the actions, the personal circumstances of the perpetrator, and possible mitigating factors are taken into account during sentencing. The sentence is later important for calculating the respective limitation period for prosecution. <\/span><\/p><p><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bb4a59 galery__number e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8bb4a59\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6dec5b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a6dec5b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ac373f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ac373f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Let's talk!<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff33f48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff33f48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Call us anytime at:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de17281 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"de17281\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"tel:+497118498770\">+49 (0) 711 - 8498770<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8f4915 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b8f4915\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Or leave us your name and phone number, and our experts will call you back.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ec9dc7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9ec9dc7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f7fef9 premium-cf7-button-fwidth-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-premium-contact-form\" data-id=\"2f7fef9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"premium-contact-form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"premium-cf7-container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;fields_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;submit_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f11466-o2\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"11466\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11728#wpcf7-f11466-o2\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"11466\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f11466-o2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Full Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"Name\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Telefonnummer\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Callback Number\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"Telefonnummer\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-69f504d90136a-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap Protection-321-wrap\" style=\"display:none !important; visibility:hidden !important;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-start\" value=\"1777665241\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-check\" value=\"4\"><input id=\"wpcf7-69f504d90136a-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"Protection-321\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Callback\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b32bfb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b32bfb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rape: When does the statute of limitations apply?<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>statute of limitations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depends on the <\/span><b>sentence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the act. In criminal law, a distinction is made between the statute of limitations for prosecution and the statute of limitations for enforcement:<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statute of limitations for prosecution in rape cases <\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we talk about the statute of limitations, we usually mean the limitation period for prosecution. This determines how long a crime can still be charged and sentenced. After the limitation period has expired, <\/span><b>legal peace<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must be established for the investigative authorities and the accused. The limitation period is calculated based on the maximum sentence prescribed by law, which is 15 years for rape.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statute of limitations for prosecution in rape cases is generally <\/span><b>20 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This follows from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stgb\/__78.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 78 (3) No. 2 StGB<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The limitation period generally begins with the completion of the act, i.e., usually at the time of the last criminal behavior (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stgb\/__78a.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 78a StGB<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, there are special regulations, for example, if the victim was a <\/span><b>minor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In such cases, the limitation period only begins to run when the victim reaches the age of 30 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stgb\/__78b.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 78b (1) No. 1 StGB<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An interruption of the statute of limitations can occur due to various circumstances, such as certain procedural actions by the prosecution authorities (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stgb\/__78c.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 78c StGB<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). In such cases, the limitation period may start to run anew.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, prosecution is barred by the statute of limitations at the latest (regardless of how often it was interrupted) when twice the period specified in Section 78a StGB has elapsed.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statute of limitations for enforcement in rape cases <\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statute of limitations for enforcement must be distinguished from the limitation period for prosecution. This applies whenever the defendant has already been convicted of rape, but the <\/span><b>enforcement of the sentence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (for example, serving the prison sentence) is still pending. Unlike the limitation period for prosecution, this period is based on the <\/span><b>specific sentence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> imposed in the judgment.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statute of limitations for enforcement in rape cases is usually 10 years according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stgb\/__79.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 79 (3) No. 3 StGB<\/span><\/a> <b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This period begins on the day the judgment becomes <\/span><b>final<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means that the enforcement of the sentence must take place within 10 years of the conviction; otherwise, the sentence can no longer be enforced.<\/span><\/b><\/p><p><\/p><h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accusation of rape: Why support from a lawyer is important <\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are accused of rape, you should definitely <\/span><b>take it seriously<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, <\/span><b>remain calm<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and do not make any hasty decisions. It is advisable not to simply wait and see, even if you believe the act is already time-barred.<\/span> <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Particularly in the case of serious crimes or a criminal complaint, the investigative authorities are obliged to investigate the allegations and, if necessary, bring charges. It is therefore crucial to seek support early and not let valuable time pass. Do not hesitate to contact us at any time to arrange an <\/span><b>initial consultation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you received a <\/span><b>police summons<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? In this case, you should <\/span><b>not make a statement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the police, especially not without prior legal advice. Even if you only want to present your side of the story and protest your innocence, an ill-considered statement can lead to serious <\/span><b>self-incrimination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ultimately contribute to your conviction.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An <b>experienced criminal defense lawyer<\/b> will instead decline the police summons and request <b>access to the case files<\/b>. You can only obtain this insight into your own criminal file with the support of a lawyer. A <b>statute of limitations<\/b> should also be actively introduced into the proceedings to stop the investigation. It is therefore essential to contact a lawyer as early as possible to provide you with comprehensive support in your case.   <\/span><\/p><p><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1cfeac e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a1cfeac\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6104673 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6104673\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As experienced criminal defense attorneys, we have already achieved early dismissal of proceedings, reduced sentences, or acquittals for many clients. 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visibility:hidden !important;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-start\" value=\"1777665241\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-check\" value=\"4\"><input id=\"wpcf7-69f504d905630-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"Protection-321\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Callback\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An allegation of rape is usually particularly serious. Such an accusation or report can not only have significant criminal consequences but can also affect one&#8217;s entire life. While criminal law cannot cushion the social consequences of such an act, the legally regulated statute of limitations is intended to ensure that legal peace is eventually restored. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":11162,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[73],"class_list":["post-11728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide","tag-guide"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Rape: When does the statute of limitations apply? - Stirnweiss | Brenner Rechtsanw\u00e4lte<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this article, you can read about when the statute of limitations for rape takes effect and which deadlines must be observed.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/guide\/rape-when-does-the-statute-of-limitations-apply\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rape: When does the statute of limitations apply? - Stirnweiss | Brenner Rechtsanw\u00e4lte\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this article, you can read about when the statute of limitations for rape takes effect and which deadlines must be observed.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/guide\/rape-when-does-the-statute-of-limitations-apply\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Stirnweiss | Brenner Rechtsanw\u00e4lte\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StirnweissBrennerRechtsanwaelte\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-10-09T15:05:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-09T16:16:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mgf_kanzlei-stirnweiss-brenner_09-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Paul F. 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