A bill being considered by the Indiana Senate would allow judges to increase penalties for defendants convicted of sex crimes against someone they met through a dating app.
While, as of this writing, the bill – currently known as Senate Bill 156 – is not yet law, it highlights the fact that the circumstances surrounding a crime can increase the penalties that judges can impose on a defendant if the defendant is convicted.
Mitigating and Aggravating Circumstances
In Indiana, a judge sentencing a defendant who has been convicted of a crime is typically able to adjust the sentence beyond the range that is specified by law for that particular crime. The sentence may be lower than what the law indicates if the judge finds there are “mitigating circumstances” that support the judge doing so.
At the other end, if certain “aggravating circumstances” exist, the judge can increase the penalty beyond the range that is suggested in the statute for that crime. There are many aggravating circumstances that judges are allowed to consider, including:
- If the “harm, injury, loss, or damage” that the victim suffered was particularly significant
- If the defendant has a history of criminal behavior
- If the victim is a child, a senior citizen, or a person with a disability
- If the crime was committed “with bias” against the victim
There are currently 14 different categories of aggravating circumstances that judges can consider when sentencing defendants.
Senate Bill 156 – the Dating App Aggravator
A bill introduced to the Senate in 2026 by Senator Mike Bohacek would add a 15th category to the list of aggravating circumstances that judges can consider when sentencing a defendant. In particular, it would allow judges to increase the sentence of a defendant who:
- Committed a sex offense as defined by Indiana statute, and
- Used an “online platform designed for dating to meet the victim”
There is no time limit in the proposed amendment to the list of aggravating circumstances. In other words, no matter how much time may have passed from the day two people met via an online dating app, if one is convicted of committing a sex crime against the other, the sentence could be increased simply because they originally met via the app.
Research in this area suggests that most instances of sexual assault where a defendant used a dating app to meet the victim happen in connection with the first time the defendant and the victim meet. If that is the case, then Senate Bill 156 may be more stringent than it needs to be if it is meant to deter sexual predators who use dating apps to connect with victims that they intend to attack at a first or early meeting.
As of this writing, Senate Bill 156 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law for further review. It is not yet law in Indiana.
Razumich & Associates Can Defend You Against Serious Criminal Charges
If you have been accused of any sex crime, you need a strong and effective defense. At Razumich & Associates, we represent clients in courts across Indiana who have been accused of serious crimes, including sex crimes. We understand the laws and procedures that apply in these high-stakes cases, and are here to fight for your rights from day one. We know that when the stakes are high, you need a strong defense by an attorney who is ready to fight for you.
To learn more about how Razumich & Associates can defend you if you have been charged with a crime in Indiana, call us at 317-983-5333 or fill out our contact form so we can schedule a free case evaluation.
