Indiana law designates crimes as either felonies or misdemeanors. A felony conviction can carry severe penalties at sentencing and can result in long-term employment and civil rights implications. Other crimes are designated as misdemeanors, which carry lesser penalties, can still result in serious implications.

Some violations of the law, usually traffic related, are infractions. Infractions are not criminal in nature and as such only carry a monetary penalty. When charged with a traffic related infraction, it is important to speak with an attorney to understand the potential long-term consequences of what may seem like “just” a small ticket. Such a ticket, in combination with certain other driving offenses, could lead to an automatic license suspension or other administrative penalties.