A person charged with desertion or absence without leave in time of war or with mutiny may be tried and punished at any time without limitation.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person charged with desertion in time of peace or with the offense punishable under Sections 25-1-3065 or 25-1-3070 is not liable to be tried by the court-martial if the offense was committed more than three years before the receipt of sworn charges and specifications by an officer exercising summary court-martial jurisdiction over the command.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person charged with any offense is not liable to be tried by court-martial or punished under Section 25-1-2520 if the offense was committed more than two years before the receipt of sworn charges and specifications by an officer exercising summary court-martial jurisdiction over the command or before the imposition of punishment under Section 25-1-2520.

Periods in which the accused was absent from territory in which the State of South Carolina has the authority to apprehend him, or in the custody of civil authorities, or in the hands of the enemy, must be excluded in computing the period of limitation prescribed in this section.