The institute of statute of limitations in criminal law limits the right of the state to impose a criminal sanction and its execution. This master's thesis concerns itself with the regulation of the institute of statute of limitations in Slovenian criminal law and with questions regarding the regulation's clarity, precision and compliance with the reasons that justify the statute of limitations in criminal law. I would like to draw attention to: uncertainties regarding the moment relevant for the start of the limitation period; the problem of rigidly tying the start of the limitation period to the time of the commission of the criminal offence; the question of the effect of the institutes of suspension and interruption of the limitation period in the system of solely absolute limitation periods; difficulties regarding the special two-year period for a new trial and the problem of extending limitation periods. Criminal law norms are the ones that interfere with the fundamental values and rights of individuals the most. Therefore, the regulation of the institute of statute of limitations must be clear, precise and unambiguous. Furthermore, it has to be consistent with the meaning of statute of limitations in criminal law. Otherwise, it can lead to the abuse or misuse of criminal repression.
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