Don’t Lock That Door! – Criminal Confinement in Indiana

You see it in movies or TV shows all the time: two people are arguing about something, and one locks the other in a room (“This is for your own good!”), which inevitably leads to a lot of yelling and door-pounding. Or, the police roll up to a convenience store mid-robbery, and the perpetrators decide their best response is to take hostages. Two very different scenarios, but either could result in Criminal Confinement charges in Indiana.

What is Criminal Confinement? 

Indiana law makes it a crime to “confine” someone else without that person’s consent. Depending on the facts of the case, Criminal Confinement can be anywhere from a Level 6 felony to a Level 2 felony (with Level 2 being the most serious). Criminal Confinement requires intent; you must “knowingly or intentionally” confine the other person to be convicted. So accidentally locking your spouse in the garage won’t generally support a Criminal Confinement charge.

Levels of Criminal Confinement

Criminal Confinement is a Level 6 felony. A conviction can mean a jail term of 6 months to 2 years and a fine of up to $10,000. It can also be charged as a higher-level felony under certain circumstances. In particular:  

• If the confined person is under 14 years of age and is not the child of the person responsible for the confining, if a vehicle is used, or if the confined person suffers “bodily injury,” it can be charged as a Level 5 felony, with a potential sentence of 1 to 6 years in addition to a fine. 
• If anyone other than the person responsible for the confining suffers “moderate bodily injury,” it can result in a Level 4 felony Criminal Confinement charge. The potential sentence is from 2 to 12 years in prison. 
• If Criminal Confinement is committed using a “deadly weapon,” or if anyone other than the perpetrator suffers “serious bodily injury,” or if the confinement takes place on an aircraft, it can be charged as a Level 3 felony with a potential prison term of 3 to 16 years. 
• Finally, Criminal Confinement can be charged as a Level 2 felony if a ransom was demanded, if a vehicle was hijacked, if done to obtain the release of someone in custody, or if the confined person is used as a shield or a hostage. If convicted, the prison term can be from 10 to 30 years.  

Razumich & Associates Can Defend You Against Criminal Confinement Charges

Criminal Confinement is rarely a “stand-alone” crime; in most cases, there are other charges filed along with it. When you’re facing multiple criminal charges of any type, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend yourself against the power of the state. At Razumich & Associates, we have helped clients all across Indiana defend themselves from serious criminal charges. We understand the laws and court procedures that apply in criminal cases in this state. We’ll fight for your rights at every step of the process, from arrest through trial. 

If you’re facing Criminal Confinement charges, or any other criminal charges in Indiana, call Razumich & Associates today at 317-449-8661, or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation online. You deserve an experienced advocate, and we are here to help!