Resisting Law Enforcement
IC 35-44.1-3-1 — forcibly resisting an officer doing lawful duties is a Class A misdemeanor
Knowingly or intentionally forcibly resisting, obstructing or interfering with a law enforcement officer, or someone assisting one, while the officer is lawfully carrying out official duties, or forcibly resisting the service of a court's process or order, is resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor.
Who handles this in Indiana: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Indiana directory.
| While resisting, the person | Level |
|---|---|
| While resisting, the personDoes nothing more | LevelClass A misdemeanor |
| While resisting, the personCreates a substantial risk of bodily injury, with two or more prior unrelated convictions under the same subsection | LevelLevel 6 felony |
| While resisting, the personDraws or uses a deadly weapon, or causes moderate bodily injury to another person | LevelLevel 5 felony |
Having been refused entry by a firefighter, an emergency medical services provider or an officer, knowingly or intentionally entering an area marked off with barrier tape or another physical barrier is interfering with public safety, a Class B misdemeanor.
It is a defense to entering the marked off area that the person reasonably believed a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent or spouse was inside it and hurt or at risk of being hurt, unless the person is charged in connection with whatever caused the area to be secured.
Sources for this section (1)
- IC 35-44.1-3-1 — Resisting law enforcement; interfering with public safety
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Indiana attorney.