Every state enforces statutes of limitations or time limits for prosecuting certain criminal offenses. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for theft at the misdemeanor level is two years from the date the offense occurs, and the statute of limitations for felony theft is four years from the date of the theft in question. Prosecutors must file charges against the defendant within the statute of limitations or the defendant cannot be tried for the offense, unless they can show that the Defendant was intentionally evading prosecution of the statute of limitations was tolled for some other reason.