Indiana criminal charge
Assisting a criminal in Indiana
Assisting a criminal is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-5. 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 § 35-44.1-2-5.
What is the penalty for assisting a criminal in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Assisting a criminal — base offense — A person not standing as parent, child, or spouse harbors, conceals, or otherwise assists another person who has committed a crime or is a fugitive from justice, with intent to hinder apprehension or punishment.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Assisting a criminal — base offense — A person not standing as parent, child, or spouse harbors, conceals, or otherwise assists another person who has committed a crime or is a fugitive from justice, with intent to hinder apprehension or punishment.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
Applies to current.
How is assisting a criminal classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisting a criminal — base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A person not standing as parent, child, or spouse harbors, conceals, or otherwise assists another person who has committed a crime or is a fugitive from justice, with intent to hinder apprehension or punishment. | Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-5(a) |
Common questions about assisting a criminal in Indiana
Is assisting a criminal a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
Assisting a criminal is a Class A Misdemeanor in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-5.
Assisting a criminal — base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-5(a))
What are the penalties for assisting a criminal in Indiana?
Penalties for assisting a criminal in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class A Misdemeanor up to a Class A Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Indiana statute covers assisting a criminal?
Assisting a criminal is governed by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-5 (Assisting a criminal).
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.