Court Opinion

ID: 9542462
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:34:40.797124+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:08:01.188181
License: Public Domain

KENNARD, J., Dissenting.
Deciding an issue left unresolved in Cowan v. Superior Court (1996) 14 Cal.4th 367 [58 Cal.Rptr.2d 458, 926 P.2d 438], the majority holds that a criminal defendant claiming the statute of limitations has expired on a charged offense may assert the claim at any time, even as late as on appeal after conviction, as defendant did here. I disagree.
In Cowan, I joined Justice Brown’s concurring and dissenting opinion which, consistent with the prevailing trend in other jurisdictions and for “sound practical and public policy reasons,” concluded that the statute of limitations is an affirmative defense. (Cowan v. Superior Court, supra, 14 Cal.4th at pp. 387, 389 (conc. and dis. opn. of Brown, J.).) The defense is forfeited if not asserted before or at trial (thus allowing the prosecution a fair opportunity to respond). (Id. at p. 384.)
I would apply that reasoning to this case and hold that defendant failed to timely assert his claim and therefore may not now raise it.