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Indiana criminal charge

Obscene performance in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Obscene performance is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2. 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 § 35-49-3-2.

What is the penalty for obscene performance in Indiana?

Penalties for Obscene performance
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 1 year (Obscene performance (general) — Base offense of knowingly or intentionally engaging in or facilitating an obscene performance.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-2
Fineup to $5,000 (Obscene performance (general) — Base offense of knowingly or intentionally engaging in or facilitating an obscene performance.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-2
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Obscene performance depicting a minor — Applies when the obscene performance depicts or describes sexual conduct involving a person who is or appears to be under 18 years of age.; 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 (Obscene performance depicting a minor — Applies when the obscene performance depicts or describes sexual conduct involving a person who is or appears to be under 18 years of age.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7

Applies to current.

How is obscene performance classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Obscene performance
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Obscene performance (general)Class A MisdemeanorBase offense of knowingly or intentionally engaging in or facilitating an obscene performance.Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2undefined
Obscene performance depicting a minorLevel 6 FelonyApplies when the obscene performance depicts or describes sexual conduct involving a person who is or appears to be under 18 years of age.Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2undefined

Common questions about obscene performance in Indiana

Is obscene performance a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: obscene performance ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2.

Obscene performance (general): Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2) · Obscene performance depicting a minor: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2)

What are the penalties for obscene performance in Indiana?

Penalties for obscene performance 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 obscene performance?

Obscene performance is governed by Ind. Code § 35-49-3-2 (Obscene performance).

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.