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Indiana criminal charge

Classification of offense; serious bodily injury in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Classification of offense; serious bodily injury is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4.

What is the penalty for classification of offense; serious bodily injury in Indiana?

Penalties for Classification of offense; serious bodily injury
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison1 years to 6 years (Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated — A person causes serious bodily injury to another when operating a vehicle with a BAC of at least 0.08, with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the blood, or while intoxicated.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated — A person causes serious bodily injury to another when operating a vehicle with a BAC of at least 0.08, with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the blood, or while intoxicated.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Jail / prison2 years to 12 years (Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated — prior OWI conviction — The offense described in subsection (a) is elevated when the person has a previous conviction of operating while intoxicated within the five years preceding the commission of the offense.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5
Fineup to $10,000 (Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated — prior OWI conviction — The offense described in subsection (a) is elevated when the person has a previous conviction of operating while intoxicated within the five years preceding the commission of the offense.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5

Applies to offenses committed after June 30, 2014 (P.L.158-2013).

How is classification of offense; serious bodily injury classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Classification of offense; serious bodily injury
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicatedLevel 5 FelonyA person causes serious bodily injury to another when operating a vehicle with a BAC of at least 0.08, with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the blood, or while intoxicated.Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4(a)
Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated — prior OWI convictionLevel 4 FelonyThe offense described in subsection (a) is elevated when the person has a previous conviction of operating while intoxicated within the five years preceding the commission of the offense.Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4(a)

Common questions about classification of offense; serious bodily injury in Indiana

Is classification of offense; serious bodily injury a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: classification of offense; serious bodily injury ranges from a Level 5 Felony to a Level 4 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4.

Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4(a)) · Causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle intoxicated — prior OWI conviction: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4(a))

What are the penalties for classification of offense; serious bodily injury in Indiana?

Penalties for classification of offense; serious bodily injury in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Level 5 Felony up to a Level 4 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers classification of offense; serious bodily injury?

Classification of offense; serious bodily injury is governed by Ind. Code § 9-30-5-4 (Classification of offense; serious bodily injury).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.