Indiana § 35-42-2-1.3 - Domestic battery

Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 35-42-2-1.3 — Domestic battery, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 35-42-2-1.3. Domestic battery

Sec. 1.3. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (f), a person who knowingly or intentionally:

(1) touches a family or household member in a rude, insolent, or angry manner; or

(2) in a rude, insolent, or angry manner places any bodily fluid or waste on a family or household member;

commits domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) The offense under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Level 6 felony if one (1) or more of the following apply:

(1) The person who committed the offense has a previous, unrelated conviction:

(A) for a battery offense included in this chapter; or

(B) for a strangulation offense under IC 35-42-2-9.

(2) The person who committed the offense is at least eighteen (18) years of age and committed the offense against a family or household member in the physical presence of a child less than sixteen (16) years of age, knowing that the child was present and might be able to see or hear the offense.

(3) The offense results in moderate bodily injury to a family or household member.

(4) The offense is committed against a family or household member who is less than fourteen (14) years of age and is committed by a person at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(5) The offense is committed against a family or household member of any age who has a mental or physical disability and is committed by a person having the care of the family or household member with the mental or physical disability, whether the care is assumed voluntarily or because of a legal obligation.

(6) The offense is committed against a family or household member who is an endangered adult (as defined in IC 12-10-3-2).

(7) The offense is committed against a family or household member:

(A) who has been issued a protection order (as defined in IC 34-26-7.5-2) that protects the family or household member from the person and the protection order was in effect at the time the person committed the offense; or

(B) while a no contact order issued by the court directing the person to refrain from having any direct or indirect contact with the family or household member was in effect at the time the person committed the offense.

(c) The offense described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Level 5 felony if one (1) or more of the following apply:

(1) The offense results in serious bodily injury to a family or household member.

(2) The offense is committed with a deadly weapon against a family or household member.

(3) The offense results in bodily injury to a pregnant family or household member if the person knew of the pregnancy.

(4) The person has a previous conviction for a battery offense or strangulation (as defined in section 9 of this chapter) included in this chapter against the same family or household member.

(5) The offense results in bodily injury to one (1) or more of the following:

(A) A family or household member who is less than fourteen (14) years of age if the offense is committed by a person at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(B) A family or household member who has a mental or physical disability if the offense is committed by an individual having care of the family or household member with the disability, regardless of whether the care is assumed voluntarily or because of a legal obligation.

(C) A family or household member who is an endangered adult (as defined in IC 12-10-3-2).

(d) The offense described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Level 4 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to a family or household member who is an endangered adult (as defined in IC 12-10-3-2).

(e) The offense described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Level 3 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to a family or household member who is less than fourteen (14) years of age if the offense is committed by a person at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(f) The offense described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Level 2 felony if it results in the death of one (1) or more of the following:

(1) A family or household member who is less than fourteen (14) years of age if the offense is committed by a person at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(2) A family or household member who is an endangered adult (as defined in IC 12-10-3-2).

As added by P.L.188-1999, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.47-2000, SEC.3; P.L.221-2003, SEC.18; P.L.129-2006, SEC.1; P.L.6-2012, SEC.225; P.L.158-2013, SEC.421; P.L.65-2016, SEC.34; P.L.40-2019, SEC.8; P.L.142-2020, SEC.64; P.L.67-2021, SEC.2.

Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 35-42-2-1.3

What does Indiana Code § 35-42-2-1.3 cover?

Section 35-42-2-1.3 ("Domestic battery") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Indiana § 35-42-2-1.3?

A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 35-42-2-1.3" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Indiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.

How does Indiana § 35-42-2-1.3 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.