Indiana criminal charge
Exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult in Indiana
Exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12. 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 § 35-46-1-12.
What is the penalty for exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Exploitation - misuse of services or property — A person recklessly uses or exerts control over the personal services or property of an endangered adult or dependent for their own profit or advantage or that of another (not the endangered adult/dependent).) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Exploitation - misuse of services or property — A person recklessly uses or exerts control over the personal services or property of an endangered adult or dependent for their own profit or advantage or that of another (not the endangered adult/dependent).) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Exploitation - misuse of services or property, repeat offender — The offense under subsection (b) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.; 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 (Exploitation - misuse of services or property, repeat offender — The offense under subsection (b) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Exploitation - self-dealing by person in position of trust — A person in a position of trust recklessly engages in self-dealing with the property of an endangered adult or dependent.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Exploitation - self-dealing by person in position of trust — A person in a position of trust recklessly engages in self-dealing with the property of an endangered adult or dependent.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Exploitation - self-dealing, repeat offender — The offense under subsection (c) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.; 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 (Exploitation - self-dealing, repeat offender — The offense under subsection (c) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploitation - misuse of services or property | Class A Misdemeanor | A person recklessly uses or exerts control over the personal services or property of an endangered adult or dependent for their own profit or advantage or that of another (not the endangered adult/dependent). | Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(b) |
| Exploitation - misuse of services or property, repeat offender | Level 6 Felony | The offense under subsection (b) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section. | Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(b) |
| Exploitation - self-dealing by person in position of trust | Class A Misdemeanor | A person in a position of trust recklessly engages in self-dealing with the property of an endangered adult or dependent. | Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(c) |
| Exploitation - self-dealing, repeat offender | Level 6 Felony | The offense under subsection (c) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section. | Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(c) |
Common questions about exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult in Indiana
Is exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12.
Exploitation - misuse of services or property: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(b)) · Exploitation - misuse of services or property, repeat offender: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(b)) · Exploitation - self-dealing by person in position of trust: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(c)) · Exploitation - self-dealing, repeat offender: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12(c))
What are the penalties for exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult?
Exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult is governed by Ind. Code § 35-46-1-12 (Exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult).
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.