Indiana legal term
Defendant in Indiana Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session
In Indiana criminal law, “Defendant” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Indiana criminal code.
What does “Defendant” mean in Indiana criminal law?
"Defendant" means a person charged with committing a sex offense against a child victim and an attorney who represents the defendant. (Ind. Code § 35-40-5-11.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Interference with custody
- Robbery
- Arson
- Burglary
- Driving without a license
- Possession of child sexual abuse material; exemptions; defenses
- Rape; restitution
- Transferring contaminated body fluids
- Duties of passenger of vehicle involved in accident resulting in injury or entrapment; violation
- False identity statement
- Perjury
- Suspension or revocation of license; failure to return license; rules concerning procedure for suspending or revoking license
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.