Steve Fritz, age 14, of DeKalb, I11., for his question:

CAN YOU EXPLAIN STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS?

In law, statutes of limitations are ordinances that fix a definite period of time within which a civil legal action or s criminal prosecution must be commenced.

A plaintiff who has a cause of action loses the right of action if he or she fails to institute legal proceeding (by service of a summons for filing with the sheriff or the marshal) within the limited time for that particular action.

Similarly, a crime may not be prosecuted unless an indictment has been procured within the prescribed time.

The period of limitation varies in different states and for different civil wrongs and crimes.

In New York, for example, an action on contract must be commenced within six years after the cause of action was accrued, that is, after the occurrence of the events that gave rise to the action, and an action to recover damages for libel must be begun within two years.