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Indiana criminal charge

Consumer product tampering; offenses in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Consumer product tampering; offenses is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3. 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 § 35-45-8-3.

What is the penalty for consumer product tampering; offenses in Indiana?

Penalties for Consumer product tampering; offenses
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Consumer product tampering (base offense) — A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally introduces a poison, harmful substance, or harmful foreign object into a consumer product, or tampers with labeling to mislead a consumer, where the product has entered commerce, with no resulting harm.; 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 (Consumer product tampering (base offense) — A person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally introduces a poison, harmful substance, or harmful foreign object into a consumer product, or tampers with labeling to mislead a consumer, where the product has entered commerce, with no resulting harm.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Jail / prison1 years to 6 years (Consumer product tampering resulting in harm — The tampering offense results in harm to a person.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Consumer product tampering resulting in harm — The tampering offense results in harm to a person.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Jail / prison2 years to 12 years (Consumer product tampering resulting in serious bodily injury — The tampering offense results in serious bodily injury to another person.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5
Fineup to $10,000 (Consumer product tampering resulting in serious bodily injury — The tampering offense results in serious bodily injury to another person.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5

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

How is consumer product tampering; offenses classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Consumer product tampering; offenses
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Consumer product tampering (base offense)Level 6 FelonyA person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally introduces a poison, harmful substance, or harmful foreign object into a consumer product, or tampers with labeling to mislead a consumer, where the product has entered commerce, with no resulting harm.Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3undefined
Consumer product tampering resulting in harmLevel 5 FelonyThe tampering offense results in harm to a person.Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3undefined
Consumer product tampering resulting in serious bodily injuryLevel 4 FelonyThe tampering offense results in serious bodily injury to another person.Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3undefined

Common questions about consumer product tampering; offenses in Indiana

Is consumer product tampering; offenses a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: consumer product tampering; offenses ranges from a Level 6 Felony to a Level 4 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3.

Consumer product tampering (base offense): Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3) · Consumer product tampering resulting in harm: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3) · Consumer product tampering resulting in serious bodily injury: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3)

What are the penalties for consumer product tampering; offenses in Indiana?

Penalties for consumer product tampering; offenses 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 consumer product tampering; offenses?

Consumer product tampering; offenses is governed by Ind. Code § 35-45-8-3 (Consumer product tampering; offenses).

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.