Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8 — Offense against computer users

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 1: Arson, Mischief, and Tampering, Indiana Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Offense against computer users

Full text of Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.

Ind. Code § 35-43-1-8Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session

Sec. 8. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally and who without authorization: (1) disrupts, denies, or causes the disruption or denial of computer system services to an authorized user of the computer system services that are: (A) owned by; (B) under contract to; or (C) operated for, on behalf of, or in conjunction with; another person in whole or part; (2) destroys, takes, or damages equipment or supplies used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system, or computer network; (3) destroys or damages a computer, computer system, or computer network; or (4) introduces a computer contaminant into a computer, computer system, or computer network; commits an offense against computer users, a Level 6 felony. (b) However, the offense is: (1) a Level 5 felony if: (A) the pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) but less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); (B) the offense was committed for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain property; or (C) the offense interrupts or impairs: (i) a governmental operation; or (ii) the public communication, transportation, or supply of water, gas, or another public service; and (2) a Level 4 felony if: (A) the pecuniary loss caused by the offense is at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); or (B) the offense endangers human life. (c) In addition to any criminal penalties imposed for a violation of this section, a person who commits an offense described in subsection (b) commits a deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general under IC 24-5-0.5 and is subject to the remedies and penalties under IC 24-5-0.5 .

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

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))

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).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.