Canon 1362

Can. 1362 §1. Prescription extinguishes a criminal action after three years unless it concerns: 1° delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which are subject to special norms; 2° without prejudice to n. 1, an action arising from the delicts mentioned in cann. 1376, 1377, 1378, 1393 §1, 1394, 1395, 1397, and 1398 §2, which have a prescription of seven years, or an action arising from the delicts mentioned in can. 1398 §1, which have a prescription period of twenty years; 3° delicts that are not punished in the common law if particular law has established another period for prescription.

Can. 1362 §2. Unless it is otherwise established in law, prescription runs from the day on which the delict was committed or, if the delict is continuous or habitual, from the day on which it ceased.

Can. 1362 §3. When the accused is informed, by citation according to the norm of can. 1723 or in the manner foreseen in can. 1507 §3, of the presentation of the libellus according to can. 1721 §1, the prescription of criminal action is suspended for three years. When this period has lapsed or when the suspension is interrupted due to cessation of the penal process, the time runs anew and is added to that which has already lapsed for prescription. The same suspension likewise takes effect if, according to can. 1720, n. 1, one proceeds to impose or declare a penalty by extrajudicial decree.