Rhode Island has extended the statute of limitations for many sex offenses, particularly those involving minors, and certain categories have no time limit at all. What this means is that old allegations-sometimes very old allegations-can still be charged today. Decades-old reports of child molestation, for example, can be prosecuted. Adult sex assault claims also have longer filing windows than most other felonies. Because the limitation analysis depends on the specific subsection charged, the age of the complainant at the time of the alleged offense, and the date of reporting, this is one of the first issues a Rhode Island sex crimes lawyer investigates when a new case comes in. A viable statute-of-limitations defense can end a case before it ever reaches trial.