How long does it take to solve a case?

Asked by: Austin Ryan  |  Last update: November 6, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (24 votes)

So, on average, give or take, four to six months for a misdemeanor. A felony case, depending on how serious of a felony and someone's criminal history, is going to dictate how long the case is going to take to resolve. For a murder case, easily one to two years.

How long on average does it take to solve a crime?

The short answer is that there are many variables that go into a criminal case's timeline, but generally speaking, most judges have expectations for how long cases should remain open. Misdemeanor and level 6 felony cases typically take anywhere from 30 days to 6 months to be resolved.

How long does the average case take?

Several factors influence the duration of a criminal case in California. The severity of the charges, the complexity of the legal issues, and whether the case goes to trial are all significant. In some instances, a case might be resolved in a few months, while more complex cases may drag on for several years.

How long do most criminal cases take?

Average is usually more than 90 days but less than a year if you waive speedy trial. 4 to 8 months on the average.

How long do most investigations take?

Most investigations take a few months - that is, generally speaking. If the evidence is particularly strong, police may be ready to make an arrest within days of the initial report coming in.

How Long Do Criminal Cases Take?

23 related questions found

How long does it take for a detective to contact you?

In some serious crimes or situations, time is of the essence. A detective may contact individuals within hours or days. In less urgent cases, or where they are waiting on DNA or subpoenaing records (i.e., banks, social media, etc.), it could take 6 months.

How long should an investigation take?

A complicated matter may take several weeks to conduct properly. A relatively simple matter may only require a small amount of investigation for it to be reasonable. Providing a provisional time-frame is helpful but an investigator should not be restricted by a set completion date.

How often do charges get dropped?

According to the statistics, around 8.2% of federal criminal charges are withdrawn at some point of the criminal process. This indicates the possibility of dismissal, however, each case is unique with various factors that affect the outcome.

How do you know if a case is being built against you?

If if the state you refer to is in the US, you could try calling the local public defender's office for the county where the charges would likely be filed and see if they could run your name and find out if there's a case and/or a warrant out on you.

How do most criminal cases end?

The majority of criminal cases terminate when a criminal defendant accepts a plea bargain offered by the prosecution. In a plea bargain, the defendant chooses to plead guilty before trial to the charged offenses, or to lesser charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of related charges.

What is average case running time?

The average-case running time of an algorithm is an estimate of the running time for an "average" input. Computation of average-case running time entails knowing all possible input sequences, the probability distribution of occurrence of these sequences, and the running times for the individual sequences.

How many times can a felony case be reset?

Resetting a Felony Case

The number of times a case can be reset depends on the circumstances. For example, if a defendant has a court-appointed public defender, they can automatically reset the case three times. However, a criminal defense attorney who you hire on your own can automatically reset a case four times.

Why is a case taking so long?

Once a case gets filed in court, things can really slow down. Common reasons why a case will take longer than one would hope can include: Trouble getting the defendant or respondent served. The case cannot proceed until the defendant on the case has been formally served with the court papers.

What crimes are hardest to solve?

Burglary is probably the most difficult to solve because its perpetrators do not have a motive that makes the victim's identity relevant. In most cases, they will elect to steal from an unoccupied home or dwelling, which may leave few, if any, witnesses.

How long does it take to fight a case?

It takes time to get court hearings. So, on average, give or take, four to six months for a misdemeanor. A felony case, depending on how serious of a felony and someone's criminal history, is going to dictate how long the case is going to take to resolve. For a murder case, easily one to two years.

Why do criminal cases take so long?

The court has a large amount of discretion in scheduling matters and given the limited resources of our judicial system, it is not surprising that delays happen. Also contributing to the traffic jams in our courts are the sheer number of cases and the shortage of judges.

How can you sure win your case?

Whether you represent yourself or hire an attorney, there are things you can do to ensure a good result in your case.
  • Find the Right Court. ...
  • Litigate for the Right Reasons. ...
  • Mediate Instead of Litigate. ...
  • Communicate With Your Attorney. ...
  • Be Willing to Negotiate. ...
  • Follow Court Procedures. ...
  • You'll Need a Good Lawyer.

Can I sue after being found not guilty?

If you are accused of a crime and acquitted or otherwise found not guilty of the offense, you can still face a civil lawsuit for the same incident. The Double Jeopardy clause only protects you from subsequent criminal prosecution in the legal system.

What are the signs of a weak case?

Some signs we look for are a lack of physical evidence, gaps in the chain of custody of evidence, contradictory eyewitness accounts, or witnesses who lack credibility. If the prosecution's case is built on a shaky foundation, they often realize a dismissal or plea deal is their best option.

How to get a case dismissed?

Participate In A Pretrial Diversion Program

In many criminal cases, the defendant can participate in a pretrial diversion program. If they successfully meet the requirements, the court will dismiss their case. In California, there are different types of pretrial diversion programs, including: Drug diversion programs.

What is one reason prosecutors may decide to dismiss cases?

Legal Issues or Procedural Errors: Prosecutors may dismiss a case if there are significant legal issues or procedural errors that could compromise the fairness of the trial. This could include violations of the defendant's constitutional rights, mishandling of evidence, or other legal irregularities.

How often are felony cases dismissed?

Regardless of the cause, around 25-30% of felony charges get dropped before trial, so there's a decent chance your case could get dismissed, too.

How long do most investigations last?

They typically last weeks or months, and even years for the more complex and complicated cases. In fact, the investigations can last for the length of time of the statute of limitations. For most federal cases, the statute of limitations is five years.

Does HR have to tell you they are investigating you?

Right to Be Informed: Employees have the right to be informed about the nature of the investigation, including the allegations or complaints being made against them and the purpose of the investigation.

How long can you be put under investigation?

There is no time limit on how long the police can keep you under investigation for. Sometimes, it can take a matter of weeks. Sometimes, it can take many months – years even.