Murder in Indiana law

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Murder in Indiana constitutes the intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Indiana.

Contents

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2021, the state had a murder rate somewhat above the median for the entire country. [1]

Definition

Indiana has four homicide statutes in total, with murder being the most serious offense. Murder is defined in Indiana as either the intentional killing of another person without justification, or causing the death of someone while committing or attempting to commit a violent felony, regardless of intent to kill (the felony murder rule). [2] [3] Murder is punished by either 45 to 60 years in prison, life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty if at least one aggravating circumstance is proven, and that aggravating circumstance outweighs any mitigating circumstances potentially present. The aggravating circumstances that can warrant a possible death sentence in Indiana are: [4]

Penalties

The sentences for homicide offenses in Indiana are listed below. [3]

OffenseMandatory sentence
Reckless homicide 1 to 6 years in prison
Involuntary manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter 10 to 30 years in prison
Murder

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References

  1. "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  2. "Indiana Murder Laws". Findlaw. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "The Law of Homicide" (PDF).
  4. "Aggravating Circumstances in Indiana Criminal Cases". Keffer Hirschauer LLP. March 15, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2023.