Opinion ID: 1677618
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Application of Period of Limitations

Text: In Chicago, B. & Q.R. Co. v. State, 47 Neb. 549, 66 N.W. 624 (1896), aff'd 170 U.S. 57, 18 S.Ct. 513, 42 L.Ed. 948 (1898), the railroad challenged a charter provision authorizing the city to require railroad companies to construct and keep in repair viaducts over streets crossed by their tracks. The railroad argued that the provision had a prospective operation only and did not apply to viaducts in existence at the time the provision took effect. We rejected the railroad's definition of a retrospective law, ruling that a statute does not operate retroactively from the mere fact that it relates to antecedent events. We defined a retrospective law as one intended to affect transactions which occurred, or rights which accrued, before it became operative as such, and which ascribes to them effects not inherent in their nature in view of the law in force at the time of their occurrence. Id. at 564, 66 N.W. at 627. We thus held that the language employed in the statute included such viaducts as were then in existence. Other jurisdictions have held that an amendment to a statute of limitations enlarging the unexpired period of time within which an action can be brought is not retroactive legislation, but, rather, is considered prospective in its operation. See, Doe v. Roman Catholic Diocese, supra (retrospective laws are those laws which take away or impair a right acquired under existing laws or create new obligation, impose new duty, or attach new disability with respect to transactions or considerations already past); State v. O'Neill, 118 Idaho 244, 796 P.2d 121 (1990) (to find otherwise would require the court to hold that the violation of a statute by an individual conferred upon that individual, at the time of the violation of statute, a bundle of rights which included the then statute of limitations, which rights were vested at the time of the violation of the statute and could not be altered or amended by the legislature); Nichols v. Wilbur, 256 Or. 418, 473 P.2d 1022 (1970) (not retrospective in application but merely an extension of the right to bring the action); Clements v. United States, 266 F.2d 397 (9th Cir.1959), cert. denied 359 U.S. 985, 79 S.Ct. 943, 3 L.Ed.2d 934 (amendment extending statute of limitations not retroactive in substance or effect); Bear Lake Irrigation Co. v. Garland, 164 U.S. 1, 17 S.Ct. 7, 41 L.Ed. 327 (1896) (quoted in dicta in Denver Wood Products Co. v. Frye, 202 Neb. 286, 275 N.W.2d 67 (1979): provision enlarging time in which to commence action to foreclose lien is not retroactive). See, also, Brookins v. Sargent Industries, Inc., 717 F.2d 1201 (8th Cir.1983) (general rule in Nebraska is that statutes are not to be given retroactive effect unless Legislature has clearly expressed contrary intention; however, exceptions are recognized for procedural legislation); State v. Dufort, 111 Or.App. 515, 827 P.2d 192 (1992); People v. Russo, 185 Mich.App. 422, 463 N.W.2d 138 (1990), aff'd in part, rev'd in part 439 Mich. 584, 487 N.W.2d 698 (1992); People v. Chesebro, 185 Mich.App. 412, 463 N.W.2d 134 (1990) (exception to general rule that statutes are presumed to operate only prospectively unless the contrary intent is shown by the legislature exists when a statute is remedial or procedural in nature). Contra, State v. Hersch, 445 N.W.2d 626 (N.D.1989), appeal after remand 467 N.W.2d 463 (N.D.App. 1991); State v. Tidwell, 775 S.W.2d 379 (Tenn.Crim.App.1989). We have consistently held that a statute of limitations does not impair existing substantive rights but merely affects the procedure by which such rights may be enforced. Abboud v. Lakeview, Inc., 223 Neb. 568, 391 N.W.2d 575 (1986), appeal after remand 237 Neb. 326, 466 N.W.2d 442 (1991); Cedars Corp. v. Swoboda, 210 Neb. 180, 313 N.W.2d 276 (1981). Statutes of limitations generally apply to all proceedings commenced after the statute becomes effective, whether rights accrued before or after such date. Cedars Corp. v. Swoboda, supra ; Denver Wood Products Co., supra ; Educational Service Unit No. 3 v. Mammel, O., S., H. & S., Inc., 192 Neb. 431, 222 N.W.2d 125 (1974). See, also, Givens v. Anchor Packing, 237 Neb. 565, 466 N.W.2d 771 (1991); Grand Island School Dist. # 2 v. Celotex Corp., 203 Neb. 559, 279 N.W.2d 603 (1979) (applicable statute of limitations is the one in force at the time the suit is brought). Thus, because the extension of a statute of limitations to offenses not barred by a previous period of limitations does not affect a defendant's existing rights or defenses, the application of the extended statute to existing causes of action is not a retroactive law. We are not unmindful that, as the Court of Appeals noted, statutes of limitations are to be liberally construed in favor of the defendant in a criminal case. State v. Nuss, 235 Neb. 107, 454 N.W.2d 482 (1990); Jacox v. State, 154 Neb. 416, 48 N.W.2d 390 (1951); Hogoboom v. State, 120 Neb. 525, 234 N.W. 422 (1931). However, in the instant case, applying the extended period of limitations to Hirsch's cause of action does not impair any vested right nor deprive him of a defense available according to law at the time when the act was committed; there is no change in legal consequences. See Denver Wood Products Co., supra (person has no vested right in the running of a statute of limitations unless it has completely run and barred the action before the new limitation becomes effective). The crime for which Hirsch was indicted, the punishment prescribed, and the quantity or degree of proof necessary to establish guilt all remain unaffected by the extended statute. Dobbert v. Florida, 432 U.S. 282, 97 S.Ct. 2290, 53 L.Ed.2d 344 (1977), reh'g denied 434 U.S. 882, 98 S.Ct. 246, 54 L.Ed.2d 166. See, People v. Russo, supra ; Com. v. Guimento, 341 Pa.Super. 95, 491 A.2d 166 (1985); Falter v. United States, 23 F.2d 420 (2d Cir.1928), cert. denied 277 U.S. 590, 48 S.Ct. 528, 72 L.Ed. 1003 (defendant's right to rely upon statute of limitations as it existed when alleged crime was committed applies only when it has vested). See, also, Grand Island School Dist. # 2, supra (completed bar is a substantive, vested right which the Legislature cannot abrogate); Tyson v. Johns-Manville Sales Corp., 399 So.2d 263 (Ala.1981) (defendant's vested right to rely on statutes as a defense if cause of action has become barred).