Indiana criminal charge
Impersonation of a public servant in Indiana
Impersonation of a public servant is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6. 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 § 35-44.1-2-6.
What is the penalty for impersonation of a public servant in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Impersonation of a public servant — base offense — A person falsely represents being a public servant with intent to deceive or induce compliance with instructions, orders, or requests, and none of the aggravating circumstances in subsection (b) apply.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Impersonation of a public servant — base offense — A person falsely represents being a public servant with intent to deceive or induce compliance with instructions, orders, or requests, and none of the aggravating circumstances in subsection (b) apply.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Impersonation of a public servant — false representation as law enforcement officer or revenue agent collecting property — The person falsely represents being a law enforcement officer, or falsely represents being an agent or employee of the department of state revenue and collects property from 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))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Impersonation of a public servant — false representation as law enforcement officer or revenue agent collecting property — The person falsely represents being a law enforcement officer, or falsely represents being an agent or employee of the department of state revenue and collects property from another person.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is impersonation of a public servant classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impersonation of a public servant — base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A person falsely represents being a public servant with intent to deceive or induce compliance with instructions, orders, or requests, and none of the aggravating circumstances in subsection (b) apply. | Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6(a) |
| Impersonation of a public servant — false representation as law enforcement officer or revenue agent collecting property | Level 6 Felony | The person falsely represents being a law enforcement officer, or falsely represents being an agent or employee of the department of state revenue and collects property from another person. | Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6(b) |
Common questions about impersonation of a public servant in Indiana
Is impersonation of a public servant a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: impersonation of a public servant ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6.
Impersonation of a public servant — base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6(a)) · Impersonation of a public servant — false representation as law enforcement officer or revenue agent collecting property: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6(b))
What are the penalties for impersonation of a public servant in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers impersonation of a public servant?
Impersonation of a public servant is governed by Ind. Code § 35-44.1-2-6 (Impersonation of a public servant).
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.