By Mayo Clinic Staff. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body's metabolism significantly, causing sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability.
BUT, at a minimum, the State has three years in which to get him indicted (some felonies, it's longer than that), which means that all they have to do is bring the charge before a grand jury at any later point that's still within the statute of limitations, get him indicted then, and file the new case.
Depending on the complexity of the case a trial can last anywhere from one day to six months or longer. If you are asking how long a rape prosecution takes you are probably looking at 6 months to a couple of years.