Often the timing of the crime becomes an issue such as in the case of Andreotti whose relation with the mafia was successfully argued as having terminated 19 years before the definitive sentence, therefore forcing the extinction of the crime in the final judgement. 19 years for three trials!

The prosecutor argued without success that Andreotti's collaboration with the mafia had continued after that period.

The solomonic sentence was issued only weeks after the statute of limitations had expired although the court had retired on the case months before.