{"id":373217,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-15T12:30:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T17:30:26","slug":"indiana-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Indiana Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The Indiana Code for Criminal Law and Procedure lists the general provisions for criminal laws and trial procedures. Indiana’s criminal justice system revised the code in 2014 so criminal charges aligned better with sentencing guidelines.<\/p>\r\n

These changes give criminal defense attorneys a wider range of options when negotiating plea agreements. The revision made sentences for non-violent crimes<\/a>, such as trespass or possession of a controlled substance, less punitive than those for violent felonies.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana Criminal Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Like most states, Indiana divides crimes by severity into felonies and misdemeanors. Each classification has several subcategories.<\/p>\r\n

There are six levels of felonies based on the nature of the crime. Level 1 felonies include second-degree murder and sexual assault. Level 3 felonies cover manslaughter, arson, and some enhanced drug offenses. Level 4 and 5 felonies now include non-violent and white-collar crimes.<\/p>\r\n

The state of Indiana is one of about 25 states with the death penalty. The death penalty is for first-degree murder<\/a> cases with aggravating circumstances.<\/p>\r\n

The three categories of misdemeanors<\/a> are primarily non-violent, less serious crimes.<\/p>\r\n