<P> A civil statute of limitations applies to a non-criminal legal action, including a tort or contract case . If the statute of limitations expires before a lawsuit is filed, the defendant may raise the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense to seek dismissal of the charge . </P> <P> A criminal statute of limitations defines a time period during which charges must be initiated for a criminal offense . If a charge is filed after the statute of limitations expires, the defendant may obtain dismissal of the charge . </P> <P> The statute of limitations in a criminal case only runs until a criminal charge is filed and a warrant is issued, even if the defendant is a fugitive . </P> <P> When the identity of a defendant is not known, some jurisdictions provide mechanisms to initiate charges and thus stop the statute of limitations from running . For example, some states allow an indictment of a "John Doe" defendant based upon a DNA profile derived from evidence obtained through a criminal investigation . Although rare, a grand jury can issue an indictment in absentia for high - profile crimes to get around an upcoming statute of limitations deadline . One example is the skyjacking of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 by D.B. Cooper in 1971 . The identity of D.B. Cooper remains unknown to this day, and he was indicted under the name "John Doe, aka Dan Cooper ." </P>

What is there a statute of limitations for