When does the prescription of an offense begin to run?

The prescription of an offense refers to the time limit within which legal proceedings must be initiated following the commission of a crime. It begins to run upon the discovery of the crime by the offended party, which acknowledges that the victim must be aware of both the commission of the crime and their role as a victim for the limitations period to start. This is significant because it recognizes the reality that a victim may not immediately know that a crime has occurred, particularly in cases involving hidden or ongoing criminal acts.

Other factors, such as the arrest of the suspect or the filing of a complaint, are relevant to the justice process but do not trigger the start of the prescription period. The time frame often reflects a balance between ensuring justice for victims and recognizing the need for the legal process to have a definitive timeline for prosecuting offenses.