Charges For Theft, Burglary, And Robbery In Indiana

Within the State of Indiana, theft, burglary, and robbery are considered different crimes. Each one of these crimes is defined differently and comes with its own unique charges.

 What Is Theft? 

Theft is defined as “knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over property of another person, with intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use.”

A man who walks into a hardware store and steals a $400 drill is committing theft.

Given the monetary value of that item, this man would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. But, if the drill were more than $750, and no more than $50,000, he would be charged with a Level 6 felony.

To go along with that, it is a Level 6 felony if the item stolen is a firearm, motor vehicle, or component for a motor vehicle. The same is true if the defendant has a prior conviction for theft.

The charges for the different types of theft are as follows:

• Class A Misdemeanor – A Maximum Of 1-Year In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $5,000
• Level 6 Felony – 6-Months To 2.5-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000

Even though a theft charge doesn’t guarantee jail time, it is considered “a crime of dishonesty” and it can affect one’s ability to maintain or gain employment.

 What Is Burglary? 

Burglary is defined as “entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a felony, or theft.”

Someone who breaks into an office building, with the intention of stealing cash, but leaves before they can do so, is committing burglary. The same is true of someone who breaks into a building and steals something.

On its own, burglary is a Level 5 felony. But, if the individual committing burglary breaks into a dwelling, then it becomes at a minimum, a Level 4 felony.

To go along with that, if the individual committing burglary causes bodily injury to someone, then it becomes a Level 3 felony. Or, if they enter a dwelling and cause serious bodily injury, then it becomes a Level 1 felony.

Outside of those circumstances, burglary committed with a deadly weapon is, on its own, a Level 2 felony.

The charges for these types of burglary are as follows:

• Level 5 Felony – 1 To 6-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
• Level 4 Felony – 2 To 12-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
• Level 3 Felony – 3 To 16-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
• Level 2 Felony – 10 To 30-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
• Level 1 Felony – 20 To 50-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000

In addition the range of charges and severity of the penalties for burglary, it is considered a “crime of dishonesty” which, on it’s own, can affect a person’s ability to maintain or gain employment.

 What Is Robbery? 

Robbery is defined as the action of taking property from another person or from the presence of another person by using or threating the use of force on any person, or by putting any person in fear.

A man who walks into a restaurant, threatens the cashier, and demands all of the cash in the register would be committing a Level 5 felony.

But, if this man threatened the cashier with a deadly weapon, the man would be committing a Level 3 felony. If the same man proceeded to shoot, but not kill, the cashier, then it would become a Level 2 felony.

The charges for these three types of robbery are as follows:

• Level 5 Felony – 1 To 6-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
• Level 3 Felony – 3 To 16-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
• Level 2 Felony – 10 To 30-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000

No matter the type of robbery that was committed, this is considered a very serious offense and an individual convicted of this crime, even a first time offender, is facing time in jail or prison.

Speak With A Skilled Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer 

Being charged with theft, burglary, or robbery will greatly affect your life. Speak with a skilled Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer today. We will help you obtain the best legal outcome.

Sources:

law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-35/article-50/chapter-3/section-35-50-3-2/

law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2017/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/section-35-50-2-7/

codes.findlaw.com/in/title-35-criminal-law-and-procedure/in-code-sect-35-50-2-6.html

law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2017/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/section-35-50-2-5.5/#:~:text=A%20person%20who%20commits%20a,P.L.158%2D2013%2C%20SEC.

law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/section-35-50-2-5/

law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/section-35-50-2-4-5/

law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/section-35-50-2-4/

I.C. 35-43-4-2

I.C. 35-43-2-1

I.C. 35-42-5-1