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Indiana criminal charge

Criminal offense; punishment in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Criminal offense; punishment is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2. 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 § 35-43-8-2.

What is the penalty for criminal offense; punishment in Indiana?

Penalties for Criminal offense; punishment
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Timber spiking - base offense — A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally drives, places, or fastens a hard metal, ceramic, or other substance device in timber, without claim or right or owner consent, intending to hinder felling, logging, or processing of timber.; 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)))presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Fineup to $10,000 (Timber spiking - base offense — A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally drives, places, or fastens a hard metal, ceramic, or other substance device in timber, without claim or right or owner consent, intending to hinder felling, logging, or processing of timber.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Jail / prison1 years to 6 years (Timber spiking causing bodily injury — The offense described in subsection (a) is elevated when it causes bodily injury to another person.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Timber spiking causing bodily injury — The offense described in subsection (a) is elevated when it causes bodily injury to another person.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-6

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

How is criminal offense; punishment classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Criminal offense; punishment
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Timber spiking - base offenseLevel 6 FelonyA person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally drives, places, or fastens a hard metal, ceramic, or other substance device in timber, without claim or right or owner consent, intending to hinder felling, logging, or processing of timber.Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2(a)
Timber spiking causing bodily injuryLevel 5 FelonyThe offense described in subsection (a) is elevated when it causes bodily injury to another person.Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2(b)

Common questions about criminal offense; punishment in Indiana

Is criminal offense; punishment a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: criminal offense; punishment ranges from a Level 6 Felony to a Level 5 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2.

Timber spiking - base offense: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2(a)) · Timber spiking causing bodily injury: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2(b))

What are the penalties for criminal offense; punishment in Indiana?

Penalties for criminal offense; punishment in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Level 6 Felony up to a Level 5 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers criminal offense; punishment?

Criminal offense; punishment is governed by Ind. Code § 35-43-8-2 (Criminal offense; punishment).

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.