Intimidation and Harassment
IC 35-45-2-1 — communicating a threat to make someone act against their will is a Class A misdemeanor
Communicating a threat meaning to make another person act against their will, to put someone in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act, to cause a building or vehicle to be evacuated, or to put someone in fear that a threat of injury, confinement, a crime or similar will be carried out, is intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor.
Who handles this in Indiana: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Indiana directory.
A threat includes an expression, by words or action, of an intent to unlawfully injure a person or damage property, to commit a crime, or to expose a person to hatred or ridicule, and posting a person's personal information meaning for it to lead to bodily injury, property damage or a crime against that person.
| Intimidation where | Level |
|---|---|
| Intimidation whereThe threat is to commit a forcible felony, or is made to or about a witness in a pending case against the person | LevelLevel 6 felony |
| Intimidation whereIt is because of the person's occupation or employment, or there is a prior conviction concerning the same victim | LevelLevel 6 felony |
| Intimidation whereThe person draws or uses a deadly weapon, or threatens a judge, bailiff, prosecutor or legislator over their office | LevelLevel 5 felony |
Meaning to harass, annoy or alarm, with no intent of legitimate communication, making a phone call, writing, or using a computer network or other electronic communication to reach a person is harassment, a Class B misdemeanor.
Sources for this section (2)
- IC 35-45-2-1 — Intimidation
- IC 35-45-2-2 — Harassment; "obscene message" defined
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Indiana attorney.