Indiana criminal charge
Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia in Indiana
Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5. 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 § 35-46-3-8.5.
What is the penalty for possession of animal fighting paraphernalia in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 180 days (Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — base offense — A person knowingly or intentionally possesses animal fighting paraphernalia with intent to commit a violation of section 9 of this chapter, with no prior unrelated conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — base offense — A person knowingly or intentionally possesses animal fighting paraphernalia with intent to commit a violation of section 9 of this chapter, with no prior unrelated conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — prior conviction — The person has a prior unrelated conviction under this same section, elevating the offense from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — prior conviction — The person has a prior unrelated conviction under this same section, elevating the offense from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
Applies to current.
How is possession of animal fighting paraphernalia classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — base offense | Class B Misdemeanor | A person knowingly or intentionally possesses animal fighting paraphernalia with intent to commit a violation of section 9 of this chapter, with no prior unrelated conviction under this section. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5undefined |
| Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — prior conviction | Class A Misdemeanor | The person has a prior unrelated conviction under this same section, elevating the offense from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5undefined |
Common questions about possession of animal fighting paraphernalia in Indiana
Is possession of animal fighting paraphernalia a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: possession of animal fighting paraphernalia ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5.
Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5) · Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia — prior conviction: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5)
What are the penalties for possession of animal fighting paraphernalia in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers possession of animal fighting paraphernalia?
Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia is governed by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-8.5 (Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia).
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.