Ohio Drug Possession Timeline

Summary

The statute of limitations for felony drug possession in Ohio is six years from the date of the crime. Charges must be initiated within this period. The timeline for lab results varies, and prolonged delays could affect your right to a speedy trial. Ohios speedy trial rule is 270 days from arrest for a felony, with each day in jail counting as three days. Continuances can extend this limit. Consult a lawyer if you believe your rights are being violated.

Full Conversation

In July of * I was pulled over and charged with a possession charge. I went to court last week and the prosecutor stated to the judge that they have not received the results from the lab. The judge continued until June. My question is what is the statue of limitations?
Hello ****, the statute of limitations varies by state and the type of charge. Can you please tell me which state this incident occurred in?
Ohio
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for prosecution of a felony drug possession charge is generally six years. However, the clock starts ticking from the day the crime was committed, not the day you were charged.
So they have 6 years to find the evidence from the lab?
The six-year statute of limitations in Ohio refers to initiating the charges, not completing evidence testing. If charges were filed within this period, the case can proceed even if lab results come later.
But how long do they have to come up with the results?
The timeline for obtaining lab results can vary depending on several factors, including the nature of the test and the lab's workload. There's no specific legal limit, but prolonged delays could be argued as a violation of your right to a speedy trial.
The speedy trial was supposed to be in April but now that they don't have the lab results they're giving it until June
In Ohio, the rule for a speedy trial is 270 days from the arrest date for a felony. Each day in jail equals 3 days towards this limit. However, continuances can extend this limit. If you believe your rights are violated, consult a lawyer.