Indiana criminal charge
Possession of a knife on school property in Indiana
Possession of a knife on school property is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5. 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 § 35-47-5-2.5.
What is the penalty for possession of a knife on school property in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 180 days (Possession of a knife on school property (base offense) — A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally possesses a knife on school property, a school bus, or a special purpose bus.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Possession of a knife on school property (base offense) — A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally possesses a knife on school property, a school bus, or a special purpose bus.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Possession of a knife on school property — prior unrelated conviction — The person has a previous unrelated conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Possession of a knife on school property — prior unrelated conviction — The person has a previous unrelated conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Possession of a knife on school property — resulting in bodily injury — The offense results in bodily injury to another person.; 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 (Possession of a knife on school property — resulting in bodily injury — The offense results in bodily injury to another person.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is possession of a knife on school property classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of a knife on school property (base offense) | Class B Misdemeanor | A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally possesses a knife on school property, a school bus, or a special purpose bus. | Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5(c) |
| Possession of a knife on school property — prior unrelated conviction | Class A Misdemeanor | The person has a previous unrelated conviction under this section. | Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5(c) |
| Possession of a knife on school property — resulting in bodily injury | Level 6 Felony | The offense results in bodily injury to another person. | Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5(c) |
Common questions about possession of a knife on school property in Indiana
Is possession of a knife on school property a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: possession of a knife on school property ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5.
Possession of a knife on school property (base offense): Class B Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5(c)) · Possession of a knife on school property — prior unrelated conviction: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5(c)) · Possession of a knife on school property — resulting in bodily injury: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5(c))
What are the penalties for possession of a knife on school property in Indiana?
Penalties for possession of a knife on school property in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Level 6 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3, 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 possession of a knife on school property?
Possession of a knife on school property is governed by Ind. Code § 35-47-5-2.5 (Possession of a knife on school property).
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.