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What are Misdemeanors in Indiana?

Misdemeanors in Indiana are criminal offenses that are punishable by up to one year in prison and pay a fine of up to $5,000. They are less severe than felonies and for this reason, they attract lesser penalties compared to felonies. Misdemeanors vary in terms of severity. This implies that there are some misdemeanor crimes that are similar to felonies such as battery and theft. On the other hand, there are misdemeanor crimes that are minor and may not even attract incarceration. The Indiana criminal code determines the severity of the penalty that will be meted out to a misdemeanor offender.

In Indiana, misdemeanors are classified based on the extent of damage or loss that the victim of the crime suffered and the circumstances that surround the crime. Generally, misdemeanors are enforced by the local and state police in Indiana and are processed in the district court. They often involve crimes against the public, where only minimal injury is incurred. Indiana classifies misdemeanors into three major groups. In order of severity, they include;

• Class A misdemeanors—Punishable with up to $5,000 fine and 1 year in jail
• Class B misdemeanors—Punishable with up to $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail
• Class C misdemeanors—Punishable with up to $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

What is an Infraction in Indiana?

An infraction in Indiana is mainly a civil offense that arises from the violation of civil laws. Infractions are minor offenses that may not be classified as a crime as opposed to other types of violations in Indiana such as felonies and misdemeanors. An infraction is the least type of crime in Indiana and it does not involve a jail term, although a civil fine may apply in most cases. It is also not treated like other crimes so a person that is guilty of an infraction may not be jailed, leveled with large fines, or have access to a court-appointed lawyer to defend their case. Law enforcement officers are charged with the responsibility of recognizing a violation and arresting the offender after which he/she will be charged to court.

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