statute of limitations

law that determines the time frame within which a particular offense can be prosecuted

A statute of limitations is a statute in a common law legal system that sets forth the maximum period of time, after certain events, that legal proceedings based on those events may be initiated. In civil law systems, similar provisions are usually part of the civil code or criminal code and are often known collectively as "periods of prescription" or "prescriptive periods."
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Noun
1. a statute prescribing the time period during which legal action can be taken
(hypernym) law
(classification) law, jurisprudence

1. A law that in certain cases specifies a period outside which filing a lawsuit and/or punishing a transgression is not permitted legally. 2. The period that such a law specifies.

The specified period during which a civil action or criminal charge can be made.