Indiana Code

Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2 (2026)

Criminal recklessness

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 2. (a) A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person commits criminal recklessness. Except as provided in subsection (b), criminal recklessness is a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) The offense of criminal recklessness as defined in subsection (a) is:

(1) a Level 6 felony if:

(A) it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon; or

(B) the person committed aggressive driving (as defined in IC 9-21-8-55) that results in serious bodily injury to another person; or

(2) a Level 5 felony if:

(A) it is committed by shooting a firearm into an occupied motor vehicle, an inhabited dwelling, or another building or place where people are likely to be present; or

(B) the person committed aggressive driving (as defined in IC 9-21-8-55) that results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person.

(1) is a passenger in a vehicle whose operator has committed an offense under subsection (a) or (b); and

(2) points a firearm at another person, a motor vehicle, a dwelling, or another building or place where people are likely to be present;

commits criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the operator of the motor vehicle has not been charged with or convicted of an offense under this section.

As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.31; Acts 1981, P.L.300, SEC.1; P.L.323-1987, SEC.1; P.L.216-1996, SEC.17; P.L.1-2003, SEC.94; P.L.75-2006, SEC.3; P.L.158-2013, SEC.423; P.L.184-2019, SEC.11; P.L.238-2025, SEC.86.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 361 cases (15 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: Brian Yost v. Wabash Coll., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity- Indiana Gamma Chapter at Wabash Coll., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc., & Nathan Cravens, 3 N.E.3d 509 (Ind. 2014).

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Brian Yost v. Wabash Coll., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity- Indiana Gamma Chapter at Wabash Coll., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc., & Nathan Cravens, 3 N.E.3d 509 (Ind. 2014). · cites it 8× “" Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2 (2012). Hazing may constitute the offense of Criminal Recklessness.”

McIntire v. State, 717 N.E.2d 96 (Ind. 1999). · cites it 12× “The relevant statutory definition of burglary provides: A person who breaks and enters the building or structure of another person, with intent to commit a felony in it, commits burglary, a Class C felony.”

Woods v. State, 768 N.E.2d 1024 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 12× “NOTES [1] Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2. [2] Ind.Code § 35-47-2-1.”

United States v. Smith, 544 F.3d 781 (7th Cir. 2008). · cites it 5× “Smith’s prior convictions as violent felonies: (1) a 2001 conviction for intimidation, a Class D felony; (2) a 2005 conviction for criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a Class D felony, see Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2 ; and (3) a 2006 conviction for criminal recklessness, a…”

United States v. Davis, 588 U.S. 445 (2019). “, Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2 .5(a) (2018) ("substantial risk of bodily injury"); Miss.”

Goldsberry v. State, 821 N.E.2d 447 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2 . Looking only to the statutory elements of these offenses, it is clear that each statute requires proof of an additional fact which the other does not.”

Rutherford v. State, 866 N.E.2d 867 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “I.C. § 35-42-2-2(b)(1) and (c)(2)(A). Although the elements of these offenses are not identical, there clearly is substantial overlap between them.”

Clancy v. State, 829 N.E.2d 203 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 8× “Ind.Code §§ 35-42-2-2(b) & (c). The offense is a Class D felony if a person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally inflicts serious bodily injury on another person.”

DeWhitt v. State, 829 N.E.2d 1055 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 14× “DeWhitt was charged pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2, which provides in relevant part: "(b) A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs: (1) an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person .”

Bruno v. State, 774 N.E.2d 880 (Ind. 2002). · cites it 4× “Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2 (1998). 3 . Id. § 35-42-1-1.”

United States v. Demetrius Jackson, Cross-Appellee, 177 F.3d 628 (7th Cir. 1999). · cites it 6× “At sentencing, the district court held that Jackson’s 1988 Class D felony conviction for criminal recklessness, under Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2, did not constitute a crime of violence.”

Elmer J. Bailey v. State of Indiana, 979 N.E.2d 133 (Ind. 2012). · cites it 2× “, Ind.Code §§ 35-42-2-2 (2008) (element of criminal recklessness), -3-3 (2008) (enhancement to *136 criminal confinement), -5-1 (2008) (enhancement to robbery), and Ind.”

Show all 361 citing cases →

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(a) — 22 cases

United States v. Smith, 544 F.3d 781 (7th Cir. 2008). “Smith’s prior convictions as violent felonies: (1) a 2001 conviction for intimidation, a Class D felony; (2) a 2005 conviction for criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a Class D felony, see Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2 ; and (3) a 2006 conviction for criminal recklessness, a…”

Miller v. State, 616 N.E.2d 750 (Ind. Ct. App. 1993).

Brian Yost v. Wabash Coll., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity - Indiana Gamma Chapter at Wabash Coll., & Nathan Cravens, 976 N.E.2d 724 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

Mayes v. State, 440 N.E.2d 678 (Ind. 1982).

Rodney G. Patterson v. State of Indiana, 110 N.E.3d 429 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(a)(2) — 2 cases

Roy A. Dinwiddie v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

Butler v. Duckworth, 776 F. Supp. 1316 (N.D. Ind. 1989).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b) — 36 cases

McIntire v. State, 717 N.E.2d 96 (Ind. 1999). “The relevant statutory definition of burglary provides: A person who breaks and enters the building or structure of another person, with intent to commit a felony in it, commits burglary, a Class C felony.”

Woods v. State, 768 N.E.2d 1024 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). “NOTES [1] Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2. [2] Ind.Code § 35-47-2-1.”

Clancy v. State, 829 N.E.2d 203 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). “Ind.Code §§ 35-42-2-2(b) & (c). The offense is a Class D felony if a person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally inflicts serious bodily injury on another person.”

Spurlock v. State, 675 N.E.2d 312 (Ind. 1997).

Steinberg v. State, 941 N.E.2d 515 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(1) — 28 cases

Rutherford v. State, 866 N.E.2d 867 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “I.C. § 35-42-2-2(b)(1) and (c)(2)(A). Although the elements of these offenses are not identical, there clearly is substantial overlap between them.”

Jones v. State, 938 N.E.2d 1248 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010).

Fields v. State, 676 N.E.2d 27 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997).

Balfour v. State, 779 N.E.2d 1211 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(1)(1998) — 1 case

Beck v. State, 790 N.E.2d 520 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(1)(2) — 4 cases

Rodriguez v. State, 714 N.E.2d 667 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999).

Woods v. State, 768 N.E.2d 1024 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). “NOTES [1] Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2. [2] Ind.Code § 35-47-2-1.”

Peterson v. State, 699 N.E.2d 701 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998).

Tanner Howard v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(1)(A) — 2 cases

Ludina Roshida Wallace v. State of Indiana, 79 N.E.3d 992 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017).

Jerod Lee Grenard v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2017).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(2) — 2 cases

Spears v. State, 811 N.E.2d 485 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004).

Jones v. State, 695 N.E.2d 1041 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(2)(A) — 1 case

Gabriel G. Williams v. State of Indiana, 64 N.E.3d 226 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(b)(l) — 7 cases

Peterson v. State, 699 N.E.2d 701 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998).

Smith v. State, 792 N.E.2d 940 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).

Jimenez-Gonzalez v. Mukasey, 548 F.3d 557 (7th Cir. 2008).

John W. Thomas v. State of Indiana, 61 N.E.3d 1198 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016).

Bracksieck v. State, 691 N.E.2d 1273 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c) — 8 cases

Bruno v. State, 774 N.E.2d 880 (Ind. 2002). “Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2 (1998). 3 . Id. § 35-42-1-1.”

State v. Boadi, 905 N.E.2d 1069 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).

United States v. Demetrius Jackson, Cross-Appellee, 177 F.3d 628 (7th Cir. 1999). “At sentencing, the district court held that Jackson’s 1988 Class D felony conviction for criminal recklessness, under Ind.Code § 35-42-2-2, did not constitute a crime of violence.”

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(1) — 10 cases

Michael E. Zanussi v. State of Indiana, 2 N.E.3d 731 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).

Bahm v. State, 789 N.E.2d 50 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).

DeWhitt v. State, 829 N.E.2d 1055 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). “DeWhitt was charged pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2, which provides in relevant part: "(b) A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs: (1) an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person .”

Thomas v. State, 774 N.E.2d 33 (Ind. 2002).

Green v. State, 753 N.E.2d 52 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(2) — 6 cases

Gleason v. State, 965 N.E.2d 702 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

Matthews v. State, 944 N.E.2d 29 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011).

Graham v. State, 889 N.E.2d 1283 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

Dustin A. Lane v. State of Indiana (Ind. 2024).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(2)(A) — 3 cases

Michael Kucholick v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

Buck Gleason v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

United States v. Bennett, 491 F. App'x 760 (7th Cir. 2012).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(2)(B) — 1 case

Michael S. Scroggins, II v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(3) — 3 cases

Jimenez-Gonzalez v. Mukasey, 548 F.3d 557 (7th Cir. 2008).

James Dewbrew v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2015).

Leonel Jimenez-Gonzalez v. Eric H. Holder, Jr. (7th Cir. 2008).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(3)(A) — 2 cases

Jon E. Garcia v. State of Indiana, 979 N.E.2d 156 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

Corey Hamersley v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(3)(B) — 2 cases

Randall W. Ogle v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).

Michael S. Scroggins, II v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(c)(8) — 1 case

Ponciano v. State, 851 N.E.2d 305 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(d) — 7 cases

McElroy v. State, 865 N.E.2d 584 (Ind. 2007).

Kenyatta Erkins v. State of Indiana, 13 N.E.3d 400 (Ind. 2014).

White v. State, 849 N.E.2d 735 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006).

Patton v. State, 837 N.E.2d 576 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(d)(1) — 7 cases

James D. Foutch v. State of Indiana, 53 N.E.3d 577 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016).

State v. Durrett, 923 N.E.2d 449 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010).

Paul J. Coy v. State of Indiana, 999 N.E.2d 937 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).

Gillespie v. State, 832 N.E.2d 1112 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005).

Zachary A. Sebastian v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(d)(l) — 1 case

David Oxley v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).

— Ind. Code § 35-42-2-2(e)(1) — 1 case

Miller v. State, 720 N.E.2d 696 (Ind. 1999).

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