Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial ProcedureRelease 119-73not60

§2462 Time for Commencing Proceedings

Title 28 › Part VI— PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS › Chapter 163— FINES, PENALTIES AND FORFEITURES › § 2462

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Lawsuits to enforce civil penalties must start within five years of when the claim began if the offender or property is found in the U.S., unless Congress says otherwise.

Full Legal Text

Title 28, §2462

Judiciary and Judicial Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Except as otherwise provided by Act of Congress, an action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any civil fine, penalty, or forfeiture, pecuniary or otherwise, shall not be entertained unless commenced within five years from the date when the claim first accrued if, within the same period, the offender or the property is found within the United States in order that proper service may be made thereon.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 791 (R.S. § 1047). Changes were made in phraseology.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

28 U.S.C. § 2462

Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60