Sexual Assault Attorneys
Sexual assault attorneys, state by state
Each guide covers one state. Choose your state, or look inside a guide before you open it.
51 guides, 50 states, about 417 minutes of reading
If you are in danger now, call 911. RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673, available 24 hours a day.
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Texas Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
Texas gives a survivor of child sexual abuse 30 years to sue, counted from the 18th birthday because time spent as a minor does not count, which makes the deadline...
Inside this guide
Texas
Texas Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
- Child Survivors: Thirty Years, Starting at Age 18
- Adult Survivors: Five Years
- Unknown Assailants and Claims After a Death
- H.B. 3809 Opened No Window
- Institutions as Defendants
- Article 12.01 and Prosecution Deadlines
- Points to Settle With a Texas Lawyer
- Attorney Firms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Idaho: Your Complete Legal Guide
A survivor of childhood sexual abuse in Idaho has until five years after turning 18, or five years after discovering both the abuse and its connection to an injury, whichever...
Inside this guide
Idaho
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Idaho: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Childhood Abuse: Age 23 or Five Years From Discovery, Whichever Is Later
- Assaults on Adults and Claims Against Public Bodies
- Criminal Deadlines Under §§ 19-401 to 19-403
- Information an Idaho Lawyer Will Ask For
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Idaho
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in California: Your Complete Legal Guide
Two California filing windows are open in October 2026, and both have fixed end dates. Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16(b)(3) revives certain adult sexual assault claims based on conduct...
Inside this guide
California
Sexual Assault Attorneys in California: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Adult Survivors: Ten Years, Three Years From Discovery, and a Window Closing December 31, 2026
- The Cover-Up Window: January 1, 2026 Through December 31, 2027
- Childhood Sexual Assault: No Deadline Only for Assaults on or After January 1, 2024
- Childhood Sexual Assault Before 2024: Code of Civil Procedure § 340.11
- Other Features of the 2024 § 340.1
- Criminal Deadlines Under the Penal Code
- Points to Clarify Before the 2026 and 2027 Windows Close
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in California
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Nevada: Your Complete Legal Guide
Nevada has no civil deadline for a lawsuit against the person who sexually abused a child, and since S.B. 129 the same is true for an adult survivor suing the...
Inside this guide
Nevada
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Nevada: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Abuse Before 18: Any Time, Against the Perpetrator
- Abuse of Adults: S.B. 129 and NRS 11.217
- Plead the Tort, Not the Statute
- Old Claims Are Revived
- Organizations, Hotels, and Public Bodies
- Criminal Limits and the Written-Report Rule
- Before a Nevada Consultation: Who Is the Defendant?
- Nevada Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Virginia Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
Virginia gives a survivor of childhood sexual abuse twenty years after the claim accrues, and accrual is the latest of three events: turning 18, being told by a licensed physician...
Inside this guide
Virginia
Virginia Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
- Childhood Abuse: Twenty Years From Accrual
- When the Claim Accrues: The Latest of Three Events
- Adult Survivors: Ten Years, or Fifteen Against a Person of Authority
- Accrual Instead of Revival
- Criminal Deadlines Under § 19.2-8
- What to Settle With a Virginia Lawyer
- Attorney Firms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Montana: Your Complete Legal Guide
Montana gives a survivor of childhood sexual abuse until age 27, or three years after discovering that the injury was caused by the abuse, whichever is later, and it applies...
Inside this guide
Montana
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Montana: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Childhood Sexual Abuse: Age 27 or Three Years From Discovery
- The 2019 Window Had Two Limbs and Closed in May 2020
- Adult Survivors: Two Years for Assault, Three for Other Claims
- Claims Against Public Bodies
- Criminal Deadlines Under § 45-1-205
- What a Montana Lawyer Will Need to Know
- Montana Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Kentucky: Your Complete Legal Guide
A civil claim for childhood sexual abuse in Kentucky must be brought within 10 years after the survivor turns 18, which is the 28th birthday, and that period applies to...
Inside this guide
Kentucky
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Kentucky: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Childhood Abuse: Ten Years After Age 18, Against the Abuser or an Entity
- Sealed Filing and the Privilege Rule
- Expired Claims: The Revival Clause After Thompson v. Killary
- When the Survivor Was 18 or Older
- Criminal Prosecution Deadlines
- Working Through a Kentucky Claim With a Lawyer
- Kentucky Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia: Your Complete Legal Guide
Georgia's main deadline for a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit is the survivor's 23rd birthday. For abuse on or after July 1, 2015, there is a second route: two years from...
Inside this guide
Georgia
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Abuse Before July 1, 2015: The 23rd Birthday
- Abuse on or After July 1, 2015: Age 23 or Two Years From Discovery
- Institutions: Negligence or Gross Negligence
- The 2015-2017 Window Reached Only the Abuser
- Adult Survivors: Two Years Under § 9-3-33
- Criminal Deadlines Under §§ 17-3-1 and 17-3-2.1
- Facts to Bring to a Georgia Lawyer
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Illinois: Your Complete Legal Guide
Illinois lets a survivor of childhood sexual abuse file a civil lawsuit at any time, but only when the claim had not already expired by January 1, 2014. Claims outside...
Inside this guide
Illinois
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Illinois: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Childhood Abuse Claims: "At Any Time," but Only for Claims Still Open on January 1, 2014
- Adult Survivors: Two Years Under Section 13-202, Unless a Qualifying Conviction or Intimidation Changes It
- When the Defendant Is a School, Diocese, Employer, or Public Body
- The Criminal Track Runs on Its Own Deadlines
- What to Settle in a First Meeting With an Illinois Lawyer
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Illinois
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Ohio Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
Ohio gives a survivor of childhood sexual abuse until age 30 to sue, but only if the abuse fits the statute's definition: rape and sexual battery are covered in every...
Inside this guide
Ohio
Ohio Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
- Childhood Sexual Abuse: Twelve Years From Age 18
- The Definition Decides Everything
- Concealment and Convictions
- Adults and Uncovered Conduct: One Year
- The Scout's Honor Window: Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Only
- Criminal Deadlines Under § 2901.13
- Before You Meet an Ohio Lawyer
- Attorney Firms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Washington State Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
Washington removed the civil deadline for childhood sexual abuse that occurs on or after June 6, 2024. For abuse before that date, RCW 4.16.340 gives the later of three discovery-based...
Inside this guide
Washington
Washington State Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
- Abuse on or After June 6, 2024: No Time Limit
- Abuse Before June 6, 2024: Three Discovery-Based Periods
- Claims Against Institutions
- Adult Survivors: Two Years for Assault and Battery
- Criminal Deadlines Under RCW 9A.04.080
- Points to Clarify With a Washington Lawyer
- Attorney Firms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in New Hampshire: Your Complete Legal Guide
Since September 18, 2020, New Hampshire has allowed a personal action for sexual assault or incest to be brought "at any time," for survivors abused as children or as adults....
Inside this guide
New Hampshire
Sexual Assault Attorneys in New Hampshire: Your Complete Legal Guide
- No Deadline Since September 18, 2020
- Ball v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester (2025)
- Which Claims Survived
- Institutions
- Adults Assaulted After September 18, 2020
- Criminal Deadlines Under § 625:8
- Preparing to Talk With a New Hampshire Lawyer
- New Hampshire Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Hawaii: Your Complete Legal Guide
Hawaii's civil deadline for childhood sexual abuse depends on one date: July 1, 2024. Abuse committed before then must be sued on within eight years after the survivor's 18th birthday...
Inside this guide
Hawaii
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Hawaii: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Two Deadline Regimes Divided by July 1, 2024
- The 2012 to 2020 Revival Window Has Closed
- Suing a School, Church, or Other Organization: Gross Negligence and a Certificate of Merit
- Survivors Assaulted as Adults
- Criminal Deadlines Under § 701-108
- Preparing for a Hawaii Consultation
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Hawaii
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Maryland: Your Complete Legal Guide
Maryland's Child Victims Act lets a survivor of sexual abuse as a minor sue "at any time," including for abuse whose earlier deadline had already passed, and it overrides the...
Inside this guide
Maryland
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Maryland: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Abuse as a Minor: "May Be Filed at Any Time"
- The 2025 Amendments: Lower Caps, a Fee Limit, and a State Cutoff
- Adult Survivors: One Year for Assault, Three for Other Claims
- No General Felony Limit; Misdemeanors Under § 5-106
- Working Through a Maryland Claim
- Maryland Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Colorado: Your Complete Legal Guide
Colorado removed the civil deadline for claims based on sexual misconduct, but only for claims that accrued on or after January 1, 2022, or that were still timely on that...
Inside this guide
Colorado
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Colorado: Your Complete Legal Guide
- No Deadline Since 2022, for Claims Still Alive on January 1, 2022
- The 2021 Revival Attempt and Aurora Public Schools v. A.S.
- Organizations as Defendants
- No Limit for Sex Offenses Against a Child Under § 16-5-401
- A Colorado Consultation, Step by Step
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Colorado
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Arkansas: Your Complete Legal Guide
Arkansas has no civil deadline for a person who was a minor or a person with a disability when the sexual abuse happened. Whether older, already-expired claims could be revived...
Inside this guide
Arkansas
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Arkansas: Your Complete Legal Guide
- No Deadline for a "Vulnerable Victim" Under the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act
- Expired Claims: The Revival Window and the Nesmith Litigation
- Adult Survivors Without a Disability
- Criminal Deadlines Under § 5-1-109
- Issues to Raise Before Filing in Arkansas
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Arkansas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in New Mexico: Your Complete Legal Guide
New Mexico gives a survivor of childhood sexual abuse until the 24th birthday to sue, or three years from the first time the survivor disclosed the abuse to a licensed...
Inside this guide
New Mexico
Sexual Assault Attorneys in New Mexico: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Childhood Abuse: Age 24 or Three Years After Disclosure to a Provider
- What Counts as Disclosure
- Reform Bills That Died
- Adult Survivors and Public Entities
- Criminal Deadlines After S.B. 41 (2026)
- Two Dates to Bring to a New Mexico Lawyer
- New Mexico Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in North Carolina: Your Complete Legal Guide
North Carolina's SAFE Child Act of 2019 gives a survivor of childhood sexual abuse until age 28 to sue, plus a separate route with no age cap: two years from...
Inside this guide
North Carolina
Sexual Assault Attorneys in North Carolina: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Abuse Before 18: Until Age 28
- Two Years After a Conviction, at Any Age
- The 2020-2021 Window and McKinney v. Goins
- Adults and the Three-Year Period in G.S. 1-52
- Organizations and Public Bodies
- No Felony Deadline, Ten Years for Some Misdemeanors
- Questions for a North Carolina Lawyer
- North Carolina Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Vermont Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
Vermont lets a survivor of childhood sexual abuse sue "at any time," and since 2019 that rule reaches abuse whose earlier deadline had already run. The Vermont Supreme Court upheld...
Inside this guide
Vermont
Vermont Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
- Childhood Abuse: No Deadline, Including for Old Claims
- Revived Claims Against Organizations Need Gross Negligence
- A Sealed Complaint
- When the Survivor Was an Adult
- Prosecution Under 13 V.S.A. § 4501
- Questions to Settle With a Vermont Lawyer
- Attorney Firms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Military Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys: National Guide for Accused Service Members
A service member accused of sexual assault faces a system that has changed in two important ways. For offenses that occurred after December 27, 2023, a special trial counsel, not...
Inside this guide
Military Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys: National Guide for Accused Service Members
- The Offenses: Articles 120, 120b, and 120c
- Who Decides Whether to Prosecute: The Special Trial Counsel
- Article 31: The Advisement Before Questioning
- The Right to Civilian Counsel: Article 38
- Time Limits Under Article 43
- First Steps After an Accusation
- Questions for a Civilian Military Defense Lawyer
- Featured Military Sexual Assault Defense Firms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Crisis and Support Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in New Jersey: Your Complete Legal Guide
New Jersey gives a survivor of sexual abuse as a minor until 37 years after reaching majority, the 55th birthday, or seven years from reasonable discovery of the injury and...
Inside this guide
New Jersey
Sexual Assault Attorneys in New Jersey: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Abuse as a Minor: Age 55 or Seven Years From Discovery
- Adult Survivors: Seven Years From Reasonable Discovery
- Two Features of the Statute
- The 2019 Law Changed Institutional Liability Too
- The Revival Window Closed November 30, 2021
- The Criminal Deadlines Are Not Uniform
- Preparing for a New Jersey Consultation
- New Jersey Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Connecticut: Your Complete Legal Guide
Connecticut measures a survivor's civil deadline from age 21, not 18, for abuse that happened on or after October 1, 2019, and it removes the civil deadline altogether once the...
Inside this guide
Connecticut
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Connecticut: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Abuse Before Age 21: Thirty Years, Counted From the 21st Birthday
- A Conviction Under § 53a-70 or § 53a-70a Removes the Civil Deadline at Any Age
- Assaults on Adults 21 and Older
- The Criminal Deadlines in § 54-193
- Points to Settle With a Connecticut Lawyer
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Connecticut
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Wisconsin Sexual Assault Attorney Guide
Wisconsin gives a survivor of child sexual assault until age 35 to sue the person who committed it, with no discovery alternative. In 2023 the Wisconsin Supreme Court held in...
Inside this guide
Wisconsin
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Alaska: Your Complete Legal Guide
Alaska allows a civil lawsuit "at any time" for conduct that would have been felony sexual abuse of a minor or felony sexual assault, while misdemeanor-level claims keep a three-year...
Inside this guide
Alaska
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Alaska: Your Complete Legal Guide
- No Deadline for Felony-Level Sexual Abuse or Assault
- Misdemeanor-Level Claims: Three Years, With a Discovery Rule for Child Survivors
- The 2026 Change: Chapter 9, SLA 26
- Claims Against Organizations
- Criminal Deadlines Under AS 12.10.010
- Facts and Questions for an Alaska Lawyer
- Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Alaska
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources
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Sexual Assault Attorneys in Massachusetts: Your Complete Legal Guide
Massachusetts gives a survivor of sexual abuse as a minor 35 years, counted from age 18, or seven years from discovering that an emotional or psychological injury was caused by...
Inside this guide
Massachusetts
Sexual Assault Attorneys in Massachusetts: Your Complete Legal Guide
- Against the Abuser: 35 Years From 18, or Seven From Discovery
- Against an Institution: The Same Periods
- The 2014 Act and Older Claims
- Assaults After Age 18
- Criminal Deadlines Under Chapter 277, § 63
- What to Ask a Massachusetts Lawyer
- Massachusetts Sexual Assault Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Reporting Lines
- Sources