The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has enacted a law that changes when the clock starts for counting the statute of limitations on administrative responsibility. The legal changes are now published on the official information portal, making the new rules clear and publicly accessible. The reform shifts the starting point of the limitation period to the moment an administrative offense is committed, a move that reshapes how authorities assess case timeliness and how defendants understand their rights. This update affects the practical flow of administrative proceedings and the way deadlines are interpreted by courts and prosecutors alike. Source: Official Legal Information Portal.
Specifically, Article 4.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation has been amended to reflect this new approach. A fresh section has been added to specify that the limitation period begins on the date the offense took place, rather than from other moments in the investigation or prosecution process. In practice, this means that once the offense has occurred, the countdown to potential liability begins immediately, with the aim of providing a clearer, more predictable timeline for both the government and the individual involved. This alignment helps to standardize how time limits are applied across different cases and reduces ambiguity about when a matter is considered time-barred. Source: Official Legal Information Portal.
The law also sets explicit caps on decision-making timelines. No decision on an administrative case may be issued after sixty calendar days have passed from the date of the offense. There is, however, a provision that allows for an extension to ninety calendar days if the judge acknowledges certain circumstances that justify additional time. Previously, the limits stood at two months and three months, respectively, which could create confusion in faster-moving cases. The new framework seeks to balance the need for timely action with the realities of gathering evidence and conducting necessary administrative reviews, providing a more predictable schedule for all parties involved. Source: Official Legal Information Portal.
Another key adjustment concerns how weekends and holidays are treated. Article 4.8 now states that if a deadline falls on a non-working day, the period is moved to the next business day. This rule reduces the risk that a case would be deemed untimely simply because a deadline coincided with a weekend or public holiday, ensuring that the administrative process remains fair and consistent. Practically, it means prosecutors, officials, and defendants have a clearer understanding of when responses and judgments are expected, even when calendars are affected by non-working days. Source: Official Legal Information Portal.
In parallel, the law contains a clause aimed at tightening penalties for unauthorized entry into critical sites, including facilities controlled by law enforcement, components of the fuel and energy complex, and other important state facilities. This part of the legislation increases the seriousness of intrusions into sensitive locations, underscoring the government’s focus on protecting critical infrastructure and public safety. The changes signal a stricter stance for violations touching security-sensitive sites, reflecting ongoing efforts to reinforce deterrence and ensure swift accountability in sectors deemed essential to national security. Source: Official Legal Information Portal.