Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Indiana criminal charge

Hazing; good faith reporting in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Hazing; good faith reporting is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5. 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 § 35-42-2-2.5.

What is the penalty for hazing; good faith reporting in Indiana?

Penalties for Hazing; good faith reporting
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 180 days (Hazing — base offense — A person who knowingly or intentionally performs hazing commits this offense absent aggravating results or means.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-3
Fineup to $1,000 (Hazing — base offense — A person who knowingly or intentionally performs hazing commits this offense absent aggravating results or means.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-3
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury — The offense is elevated when the hazing results in serious bodily injury to another person.; 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 (Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury — The offense is elevated when the hazing results in serious bodily injury to another person.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Jail / prison1 years to 6 years (Hazing committed by means of a deadly weapon — The offense is elevated when the hazing is committed by means of a deadly weapon.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-6
Fineup to $10,000 (Hazing committed by means of a deadly weapon — The offense is elevated when the hazing is committed by means of a deadly weapon.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-6

Applies to current.

How is hazing; good faith reporting classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Hazing; good faith reporting
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Hazing — base offenseClass B MisdemeanorA person who knowingly or intentionally performs hazing commits this offense absent aggravating results or means.Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5(b)
Hazing resulting in serious bodily injuryLevel 6 FelonyThe offense is elevated when the hazing results in serious bodily injury to another person.Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5(b)
Hazing committed by means of a deadly weaponLevel 5 FelonyThe offense is elevated when the hazing is committed by means of a deadly weapon.Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5(b)

Common questions about hazing; good faith reporting in Indiana

Is hazing; good faith reporting a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: hazing; good faith reporting ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Level 5 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5.

Hazing — base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5(b)) · Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5(b)) · Hazing committed by means of a deadly weapon: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5(b))

What are the penalties for hazing; good faith reporting in Indiana?

Penalties for hazing; good faith reporting in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Level 5 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3, Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers hazing; good faith reporting?

Hazing; good faith reporting is governed by Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2.5 (Hazing; good faith reporting).

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.