Indiana criminal charge
Offense against computer users in Indiana
Offense against computer users is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8. 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 § 35-43-1-8.
What is the penalty for offense against computer users in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Base offense against computer users — A person knowingly or intentionally and without authorization disrupts computer system services, destroys/takes/damages computer equipment or supplies, destroys or damages a computer/system/network, or introduces a computer contaminant.; 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 (Base offense against computer users — A person knowingly or intentionally and without authorization disrupts computer system services, destroys/takes/damages computer equipment or supplies, destroys or damages a computer/system/network, or introduces a computer contaminant.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 6 years (Offense causing moderate pecuniary loss — The pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least $750 but less than $50,000.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Offense causing moderate pecuniary loss — The pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least $750 but less than $50,000.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 6 years (Offense committed for fraud or to obtain property — The offense was committed for the purpose of devising or executing a scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain property.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Offense committed for fraud or to obtain property — The offense was committed for the purpose of devising or executing a scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain property.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 6 years (Offense interrupting government operations or public services — The offense interrupts or impairs a governmental operation or public communication, transportation, or supply of water, gas, or another public service.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Offense interrupting government operations or public services — The offense interrupts or impairs a governmental operation or public communication, transportation, or supply of water, gas, or another public service.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 12 years (Offense causing major pecuniary loss — The pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least $50,000.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Offense causing major pecuniary loss — The pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least $50,000.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 |
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 12 years (Offense endangering human life — The offense endangers human life.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Offense endangering human life — The offense endangers human life.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 |
Applies to offenses committed after June 30, 2014 (P.L.158-2013).
How is offense against computer users classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base offense against computer users | Level 6 Felony | A person knowingly or intentionally and without authorization disrupts computer system services, destroys/takes/damages computer equipment or supplies, destroys or damages a computer/system/network, or introduces a computer contaminant. | Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(a) |
| Offense causing moderate pecuniary loss | Level 5 Felony | The pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least $750 but less than $50,000. | Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b) |
| Offense committed for fraud or to obtain property | Level 5 Felony | The offense was committed for the purpose of devising or executing a scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain property. | Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b) |
| Offense interrupting government operations or public services | Level 5 Felony | The offense interrupts or impairs a governmental operation or public communication, transportation, or supply of water, gas, or another public service. | Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b) |
| Offense causing major pecuniary loss | Level 4 Felony | The pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least $50,000. | Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b) |
| Offense endangering human life | Level 4 Felony | The offense endangers human life. | Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b) |
Common questions about offense against computer users in Indiana
Is offense against computer users a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: offense against computer users ranges from a Level 6 Felony to a Level 4 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8.
Base offense against computer users: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(a)) · Offense causing moderate pecuniary loss: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b)) · Offense committed for fraud or to obtain property: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b)) · Offense interrupting government operations or public services: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b)) · Offense causing major pecuniary loss: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b)) · Offense endangering human life: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8(b))
What are the penalties for offense against computer users in Indiana?
Penalties for offense against computer users in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Level 6 Felony up to a Level 4 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7, Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Indiana statute covers offense against computer users?
Offense against computer users is governed by Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8 (Offense against computer users).
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.