Theft and Conversion
IC 35-43-4-2 — a Class A misdemeanor, and a Level 6 felony from $750
Knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over another's property, meaning to deprive the owner of any part of its value or use, is theft, a Class A misdemeanor.
Who handles this in Indiana: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Indiana directory.
| Theft where | Level |
|---|---|
| Theft whereThe property is worth at least $750 and less than $50,000 | LevelLevel 6 felony |
| Theft whereIt is a motor vehicle, a vehicle part or a domestic animal, or there is a prior theft, conversion, robbery or burglary conviction | LevelLevel 6 felony |
| Theft whereThe property is worth at least $50,000 | LevelLevel 5 felony |
| Theft whereThe property is a firearm | LevelLevel 5 felony |
Value is the property's fair market value at the time and place of the offense, or if that cannot be fixed, the cost to replace it, and a price tag on goods offered for sale is prima facie evidence of it.
Exerting unauthorized control over another's property without the intent to deprive that theft requires is criminal conversion, a Class A misdemeanor. Keeping a leased motor vehicle more than 30 days past the agreed return, or three days after a written demand, is a Level 6 felony.
Sources for this section (2)
- IC 35-43-4-2 — Theft
- IC 35-43-4-3 — Conversion
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Indiana attorney.