Indiana criminal charge
Conversion in Indiana
Conversion is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3. 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 § 35-43-4-3.
What is the penalty for conversion in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Basic criminal conversion — A person knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Basic criminal conversion — A person knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Conversion of motor vehicle to assist in commission of a crime — The person exerts unauthorized control over another's motor vehicle intending to use it to assist in committing a crime.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Conversion of motor vehicle to assist in commission of a crime — The person exerts unauthorized control over another's motor vehicle intending to use it to assist in committing a crime.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 6 years (Conversion of motor vehicle used to assist in a felony — The person exerts unauthorized control over another's motor vehicle and uses it to assist in the commission of a felony.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Conversion of motor vehicle used to assist in a felony — The person exerts unauthorized control over another's motor vehicle and uses it to assist in the commission of a felony.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Failure to return leased motor vehicle — The person leases a motor vehicle, signs an agreement to return it by a specified time, and fails to return it within 30 days after that time or within 3 days after proper written demand.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Failure to return leased motor vehicle — The person leases a motor vehicle, signs an agreement to return it by a specified time, and fails to return it within 30 days after that time or within 3 days after proper written demand.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is conversion classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic criminal conversion | Class A Misdemeanor | A person knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person. | Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(a) |
| Conversion of motor vehicle to assist in commission of a crime | Level 6 Felony | The person exerts unauthorized control over another's motor vehicle intending to use it to assist in committing a crime. | Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(b) |
| Conversion of motor vehicle used to assist in a felony | Level 5 Felony | The person exerts unauthorized control over another's motor vehicle and uses it to assist in the commission of a felony. | Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(c) |
| Failure to return leased motor vehicle | Level 6 Felony | The person leases a motor vehicle, signs an agreement to return it by a specified time, and fails to return it within 30 days after that time or within 3 days after proper written demand. | Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(d) |
Common questions about conversion in Indiana
Is conversion a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: conversion ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 5 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3.
Basic criminal conversion: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(a)) · Conversion of motor vehicle to assist in commission of a crime: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(b)) · Conversion of motor vehicle used to assist in a felony: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(c)) · Failure to return leased motor vehicle: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3(d))
What are the penalties for conversion in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers conversion?
Conversion is governed by Ind. Code § 35-43-4-3 (Conversion).
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.