Criminal Sentences in Indiana

In Indiana, there are two categories of crime you may be charged with: a felony or a misdemeanor. From there, you might be charged with a class A, B, or C misdemeanor, or a level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 felony. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of more than one year in prison.

Indiana has established sentencing guidelines to help judges in sentencing people once they have been convicted of a crime. These guidelines give a judge a range of fines and sentences for each level of offense and give an advisory sentence that gives the judge a place to start in determining the appropriate sentence. The judge will look at factors, categorized as either aggravating or mitigating, to determine if a harsher or more lenient sentence is appropriate for a particular crime. The judge may also impose fines according to each level of sentence. For misdemeanors, these fines cannot exceed $5,000, but for felonies, you may be responsible for fines up to $10,000.

If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to have someone in your corner to assist you in building a defense that will allow you the best chance at either avoiding a conviction or limiting your sentence. If you find yourself in this situation, call the Criminal Law attorneys at McNeelyLaw LLP at (317) 825-5110 for help.

This McNeelyLaw LLP publication should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion of any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own lawyer on any specific legal questions you may have concerning your situation.