Indiana criminal charge
Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area in Indiana
Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7. 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 § 35-44.1-4-7.
What is the penalty for impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — base offense — A non-firefighter who, intending to mislead a firefighter or law enforcement officer as to dispatched status, knowingly or intentionally enters an emergency incident area while wearing, transporting, or possessing a uniform, fire protective clothing, or fire protective gear.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — base offense — A non-firefighter who, intending to mislead a firefighter or law enforcement officer as to dispatched status, knowingly or intentionally enters an emergency incident area while wearing, transporting, or possessing a uniform, fire protective clothing, or fire protective gear.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — bodily injury results — The base offense escalates to this classification if a person or firefighter suffers bodily injury as a proximate result of the person entering the emergency incident area.; 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 (Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — bodily injury results — The base offense escalates to this classification if a person or firefighter suffers bodily injury as a proximate result of the person entering the emergency incident area.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A non-firefighter who, intending to mislead a firefighter or law enforcement officer as to dispatched status, knowingly or intentionally enters an emergency incident area while wearing, transporting, or possessing a uniform, fire protective clothing, or fire protective gear. | Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7undefined |
| Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — bodily injury results | Level 6 Felony | The base offense escalates to this classification if a person or firefighter suffers bodily injury as a proximate result of the person entering the emergency incident area. | Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7undefined |
Common questions about impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area in Indiana
Is impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7.
Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7) · Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area — bodily injury results: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7)
What are the penalties for impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area in Indiana?
Penalties for impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class A Misdemeanor up to a Level 6 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Indiana statute covers impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area?
Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area is governed by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-4-7 (Impersonating a firefighter at an emergency incident area).
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.