What type of offence has no time limit for prosecution?

Indictable offences are significant criminal offences that typically carry more severe penalties and are often tried in higher courts. One key characteristic of indictable offences is that they generally have no statute of limitations, meaning that there is no time limit within which legal proceedings must be initiated. This allows law enforcement and prosecuting authorities to pursue these serious crimes even if considerable time has elapsed since the offence was committed.

In contrast, summary offences, which are less serious violations, usually have specific time limits for prosecution, typically requiring action to be taken within six months of the offence. Minor offences might be classified in a similar manner, and traffic offences commonly adhere to various limitations based on jurisdiction. This distinction highlights the critical nature of indictable offences and the legal system’s approach to ensuring that serious crimes can still be addressed regardless of when they occurred.