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Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 35-45-9-3 — Participation in criminal organization; offense

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 9: Criminal Organization Control, Indiana Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Ind. Code § 35-45-9-3

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 § 35-45-9-3Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
Sec. 3. (a) As used in this section, "benefit, promote, or further the interests of a criminal organization" means to commit a felony or misdemeanor that would cause a reasonable person to believe results in: (1) a benefit to a criminal organization or a member of a criminal organization; (2) the promotion of a criminal organization; or (3) furthering the interests of a criminal organization. (b) As used in this section, "purpose of increasing a person's own standing or position within a criminal organization" means committing a felony or misdemeanor that would cause a reasonable person to believe results in increasing the person's standing or position within a criminal organization. (c) A person who knowingly or intentionally commits an offense: (1) with the intent to benefit, promote, or further the interests of a criminal organization; or (2) for the purpose of increasing the person's own standing or position within a criminal organization; commits criminal organization activity, a Level 6 felony. However, the offense is a Level 5 felony if the offense involves, directly or indirectly, the unlawful use of a firearm (including assisting a criminal ( IC 35-44.1-2-5 ) if the offense committed by the person assisted involves the unlawful use of a firearm). (d) In determining whether a person committed an offense under this section, the trier of fact may consider a person's association with a criminal organization, including: (1) an admission of criminal organization membership by the person; (2) a statement by: (A) a member of the person's family; (B) the person's guardian; or (C) a reliable member of the criminal organization; stating the person is a member of a criminal organization; (3) the person having tattoos identifying the person as a member of a criminal organization; (4) the person having a style of dress that is particular to members of a criminal organization; (5) the person associating with one (1) or more members of a criminal organization; (6) physical evidence indicating the person is a member of a criminal organization; (7) an observation of the person in the company of a known criminal organization member on at least three (3) occasions; (8) communications authored by the person indicating criminal organization membership, promotion of the membership in a criminal organization, or responsibility for an offense committed by a criminal organization; (9) the person's use of the hand signs of a criminal organization; and (10) the person's involvement in recruiting criminal organization members.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is participation in criminal organization; offense a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: participation in criminal organization; offense ranges from a Level 6 Felony to a Level 5 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-45-9-3.

Criminal organization activity — base offense: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-45-9-3(c)) · Criminal organization activity — firearm involved: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-45-9-3(c))

Which Indiana statute covers participation in criminal organization; offense?

Participation in criminal organization; offense is governed by Ind. Code § 35-45-9-3 (Participation in criminal organization; offense).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.