Indianapolis Theft Lawyer

The crime of theft involves taking control of another person’s property with the intention to deprive the owner of the property’s use or value. The property could include money or personal property such as someone’s laptop or jewelry, and theft could involve anything from simple shoplifting to stealing millions of dollars. Whether theft is a misdemeanor or felony depends on the fair market value of the items alleged to have been stolen, and whether the offense was committed before or after July 1, 2014.

If the offense was committed before July 1, 2014, the possible penalties include:

• Less than $100,000 — If the value of the stolen money or property is less than $100,000, theft is a Class D felony. If convicted, the possible sentence includes 6 months to 3 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000.
• $100,000 or more — If the value of the stolen money or property is $100,000 or more, theft is a Class C felony punishable by 2 to 8 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

If the offense was committed after July 1, 2014, the possible penalties include:

• Less than $750 — If the value of the stolen money or property is less than $750, theft is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
• $750 to $49,999 — If the value of the stolen money or property is $750 to $49,999, theft is a Level 6 felony punishable by 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000.
• $50,000 or more — If the value of the stolen money or property is $50,000 or more, theft is a Level 5 felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

For purposes of determining the value of the stolen items, prosecutors are allowed to charge multiple thefts committed in a single episode as a single count.

For offenses committed after July 1, 2014, a second or subsequent unrelated conviction for theft or conversion is a Level 6 felony 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000.

When you are suspected of knowingly or intentionally receiving, retaining, or disposing of property that was stolen from another person, you may be charged with the crime of receiving stolen property. If you’re convicted, the penalties vary depending on the fair market value of the property, and when the offense was committed.

If the offense was committed before July 1, 2014, the possible penalties include:

• Less than $100,000 — If the value of the stolen money or property is less than $100,000, receiving stolen property is a Class D felony. If convicted, the possible sentence includes 6 months to 3 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000.
• $100,000 or more — If the value of the stolen money or property is $100,000 or more, receiving stolen property is a Class C felony punishable by 2 to 8 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

If the offense was committed after July 1, 2014, “receiving stolen property” is included in the definition of theft and is no longer a separate offense. The possible penalties include:

• Less than $750 — If the value of the stolen money or property is less than $750, receiving stolen property is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
• $750 to $49,999 — If the value of the stolen money or property is $750 to $49,999, receiving stolen property is a Level 6 felony punishable by 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000.
• $50,000 or more — If the value of the stolen money or property is $50,000 or more, receiving stolen property is a Level 5 felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

For offenses committed after July 1, 2014, a second or subsequent unrelated conviction for theft or conversion is a Level 6 felony 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000.

Stealing someone else’s car or stripping parts from the vehicle is a felony offense in Indiana, as is receiving a stolen vehicle or stolen auto parts. If you are convicted of auto theft or receiving a stolen vehicle or parts, the penalties vary depending on when the offense was committed and whether you have prior auto theft convictions.

• Before July 1, 2014 — Auto theft or receiving a stolen vehicle or parts is a Class D felony punishable by 6 months to 3 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. A second or subsequent offense is a Class C felony punishable by 2 to 8 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• After July 1, 2014 — Auto theft or receiving a stolen vehicle or parts is a Level 6 felony punishable by 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. A second or subsequent offense is a Level 5 felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Criminal conversion involves knowingly or intentionally exerting control over another person’s property without their consent. The basic offense is a misdemeanor, but conversion can be a felony when the property involved is a motor vehicle. If you’re convicted of a conversion offense, the penalties vary depending on whether the offense was committed before or after July 1, 2014, when amendments to Indiana’s criminal code went into effect.

• Before July 1, 2014 — Conversion is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. When the alleged offense involves failing to return a leased motor vehicle, conversion is a Class D felony punishable by 6 months to 3 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. When the alleged offense involves exerting control over another person’s vehicle with the intent to use the vehicle to commit a felony, the offense is a Class D felony punishable by 6 months to 3 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. When the alleged offense involves exerting control over another person’s vehicle and actually using the vehicle to commit a felony, then conversion is a Class C felony punishable by 2 to 8 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• After July 1, 2014 — Conversion is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. When the alleged offense involves failing to return a leased vehicle, the offense is a Level 6 felony punishable by 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. When the alleged offense involves exerting control over another person’s vehicle with the intent to use the vehicle to commit a felony, the offense is a Level 6 felony punishable by 6 months to 2 ½ years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. When the alleged offense involves actually using another person’s motor vehicle to commit a felony, conversion is a Level 5 felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.