PENAL CODE of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste
Article 111. Counting the limitation
1. 1 – The statute of limitation for criminal prosecution runs from the date the act was
committed or from the date of the last act of execution in the case of an
unconsummated crime, continued crime or habitual crime.
2. 2 - Limitation in permanent crimes runs from the date the consummation ceases.
3. 3 - The act of the principal shall be considered in the case of complicity.
Article 112. Suspension of limitations
1. Limitation for criminal prosecution is suspended, in addition to cases specifically
provided for in law, whenever:
a) Prosecution may not legally be initiated or proceed due to lack of
legal authorization or due to a sentence pronounced by a noncriminal court, or due to a return of a prejudicial matter to the noncriminal proceeding;
b) The delinquent serves, overseas, a sentence or security measure
involving internment;
c) Criminal proceedings are pending, from the time the formal
suspect is notified of the charges.
2. Limitation begins again from the date the cause for suspension ceases.
3. Under no circumstance may the cause for suspension exceed one half of the
limitation provided for in article 110.
CHAPTER II
PRESCRIPTION OF SENTENCES AND SECURITY MEASURES
Article 113. Prescriptions of sentences
1. Statutes on sentences expire within the following limitations:
a) 25 years if the sentence exceeds 12 years imprisonment;
b) 20 years if sentence exceeds 8 but is less than 12 years
imprisonment;
c) 12 years if sentence exceeds 4 but is less than 8 years
imprisonment;
d) 8 years for all other prison sentences;
e) 4 years in cases with penalties of fine.
2. Prescription of a sentence counts from the date the final decision applying the
same is rendered.
Article 114. Prescription of accessory penalties
Prescription of accessory penalties is subject to the application of the primary
penalty.
Article 115. Limitations on security measures
Statutes on security measures expire in the following cases:
a) 15 years in the case of sentences involving internment;
b) 5 years in the case of sentences not involving internment;
c) 2 years in all other cases.
Article 116. Suspension of limitations
1. Limitation on sentences and security measures is suspended, in addition to cases
specifically provided in law, during the period in which:
a) By force of law, execution of the penalty cannot begin or proceed;
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