Should a charge be pursued after decades if it is a serious crime which was committed?

For minor crimes, most states have a “statute of limitations” that prohibits bringing charges when a certain period of time has elapsed since the crime. When it comes to serious crimes, is it right for the justice system to pursue criminal charges several decades after the crime is said to have occurred?

The aim of the justice system is to bring people who have done wrong to justice, and properly punish them for what they have done. I feel all criminals, even those who committed small crimes, should bear the consequences for what they did. If those who committed small crimes should have charges pursued against them, then those who have committed serious crimes should be more so.

Even so, there could a chance, albeit a small one, that they regret what they have done, and are already repenting. Thus, since charging them and punishing them is to help them realise their mistakes, would the pursuing of charges be redundant? Still, it is almost impossible to be sure whether a person is remorseful or repentant about whatever he has done. Even if he or she shows signs of remorse, he or she could jolly well be acting. As such, it would be very difficult to decide based on this factor.

Still, I feel that, most of all, these serious crimes have affected people in some way or other. Thus, I feel that the charges should pursued as they truly deserve it.