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Indiana criminal charge

Sexual misconduct with a service provider in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Sexual misconduct with a service provider is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10. 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 § 35-44.1-3-10.

What is the penalty for sexual misconduct with a service provider in Indiana?

Penalties for Sexual misconduct with a service provider
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Sexual misconduct - fondling or touching — A service provider knowingly or intentionally engages in fondling or touching with a person subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision with intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires.; 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 (Sexual misconduct - fondling or touching — A service provider knowingly or intentionally engages in fondling or touching with a person subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision with intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Jail / prison1 years to 6 years (Sexual misconduct - sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct — The service provider engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the person who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Sexual misconduct - sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct — The service provider engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the person who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Jail / prison1 years to 6 years (Sexual misconduct with a minor - fondling or touching — A service provider at least 18 years old knowingly or intentionally engages in fondling or touching with a person under 18 who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Sexual misconduct with a minor - fondling or touching — A service provider at least 18 years old knowingly or intentionally engages in fondling or touching with a person under 18 who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Jail / prison2 years to 12 years (Sexual misconduct with a minor - sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct — The service provider engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the person under 18 who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5
Fineup to $10,000 (Sexual misconduct with a minor - sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct — The service provider engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the person under 18 who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5

Applies to offenses committed after June 30, 2014 (P.L.158-2013).

How is sexual misconduct with a service provider classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Sexual misconduct with a service provider
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Sexual misconduct - fondling or touchingLevel 6 FelonyA service provider knowingly or intentionally engages in fondling or touching with a person subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision with intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires.Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(b)
Sexual misconduct - sexual intercourse or other sexual conductLevel 5 FelonyThe service provider engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the person who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(b)
Sexual misconduct with a minor - fondling or touchingLevel 5 FelonyA service provider at least 18 years old knowingly or intentionally engages in fondling or touching with a person under 18 who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(c)
Sexual misconduct with a minor - sexual intercourse or other sexual conductLevel 4 FelonyThe service provider engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the person under 18 who is subject to lawful detention or lawful supervision.Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(c)

Common questions about sexual misconduct with a service provider in Indiana

Is sexual misconduct with a service provider a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: sexual misconduct with a service provider ranges from a Level 6 Felony to a Level 4 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10.

Sexual misconduct - fondling or touching: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(b)) · Sexual misconduct - sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(b)) · Sexual misconduct with a minor - fondling or touching: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(c)) · Sexual misconduct with a minor - sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10(c))

What are the penalties for sexual misconduct with a service provider in Indiana?

Penalties for sexual misconduct with a service provider 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 sexual misconduct with a service provider?

Sexual misconduct with a service provider is governed by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-10 (Sexual misconduct with a service provider).

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.