Convicted of a Crime While on Parole in Indianapolis? Here’s What You Face

Being on parole is a second chance—a hard-won opportunity to rebuild your life outside prison walls. But that chance comes with conditions. Commit a new crime while on parole in Indianapolis, and the consequences extend far beyond the charges themselves. You’re not just facing penalties for the new offense. You’re also at risk of losing the freedom you already have.

This post breaks down exactly what happens when you’re convicted of a crime while on parole in Indiana—from automatic revocation rules to sentencing enhancements, collateral consequences, and your rights throughout the process.

How a New Criminal Conviction Affects Your Parole Status

Under Indiana Code 11-13-3-4, one of the universal conditions of parole is that parolees must not commit a crime during their supervision period. A new arrest or criminal conviction doesn’t just add a fresh charge to your record—it can trigger immediate action by the Indiana Parole Board.

When a parole officer or another party reports a violation, the parole board has broad authority under IC 11-13-3-8 to respond. Options range from intensifying supervision to revoking parole altogether. A new criminal conviction is among the most serious violations the board can review, and the outcome depends heavily on the nature of the new offense.

What Triggers Mandatory vs. Discretionary Revocation?

Indiana law draws a clear line between felony levels when it comes to parole revocation. Under IC 11-13-3-10:

Level 1 or Level 2 felony conviction: The parole board shall revoke parole and order continuous imprisonment. Revocation is mandatory.
Level 3 through Level 6 felony conviction: The parole board may revoke parole and order continuous imprisonment. This is discretionary, meaning the board weighs the circumstances.

For misdemeanor convictions, revocation is not automatic—but it can still happen. The board retains authority to modify or revoke parole based on the totality of the situation.

How Quickly Does the Process Move?

Indiana law sets firm timelines for parole revocation hearings. Under IC 11-13-3-10:

If you are confined, the hearing must occur within 60 days of being made available to the Department of Correction.
If you are not confined, the hearing must occur within 180 days of the earlier of an order for your appearance or your arrest on a parole violation warrant.

If the hearing is not held within these timeframes—and good cause for the delay isn’t documented—the parole revocation charge must be dismissed.

Penalties for Crimes Committed While on Parole

Facing a new criminal conviction while on parole means dealing with two separate but connected sets of consequences: punishment for the new offense and potential revocation of your existing parole.

Indiana Felony Sentencing Ranges

Indiana uses a Level 1 through Level 6 felony classification system, introduced in 2014. These are the current sentencing ranges:

Level 1 Felony: 20 to 40 years, advisory sentence of 30 years
Level 2 Felony: 10 to 30 years, advisory sentence of 17.5 years
Level 3 Felony: 3 to 16 years, advisory sentence of 9 years
Level 4 Felony: 2 to 12 years, advisory sentence of 6 years
Level 5 Felony: 1 to 6 years, advisory sentence of 3 years
Level 6 Felony: 6 months to 2.5 years, advisory sentence of 1 year

Fines for felony convictions can reach up to $10,000. And crucially, if you’re already serving a sentence under parole, a new conviction means you could be serving both sentences—simultaneously or consecutively, depending on court orders.

Misdemeanor Penalties

Even misdemeanor convictions carry real consequences:

Class A Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $5,000
Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $1,000
Class C Misdemeanor: Up to 60 days in jail, fines up to $500

While these are lighter penalties, a misdemeanor conviction still constitutes a parole condition violation—and that alone can be enough to send you back to prison.

Habitual Offender Enhancements

If you have prior felony convictions, the state may seek a habitual offender enhancement. This is not a separate crime—it’s a sentencing status that can add substantial additional years to the base sentence for your new conviction. In some cases, these enhancements add decades. Challenging the basis for these enhancements is often a critical part of an effective defense strategy.

Your Rights During a Parole Revocation Hearing

A parole revocation hearing is not a criminal trial, but you still have meaningful procedural protections. These rights are rooted in both Indiana statute and the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Morrissey v. Brewer, which established that parole revocation must comply with due process.

Under Indiana law, you are entitled to:

Appear and speak on your own behalf
Present evidence and call witnesses
Cross-examine adverse witnesses, including your parole officer
Offer evidence in mitigation of the alleged violation
Receive a written statement explaining the reasons for any action taken

Hearings are conducted by at least one parole board member. If the board finds no violation occurred, the charge is dismissed. If a violation is found, the board decides whether to continue, modify, or revoke your parole.

You also have the right to waive the revocation hearing and admit to the violation—but doing so forfeits all the procedural protections listed above. This is a decision that should never be made without speaking to an Indianapolis criminal attorney first.

Collateral Consequences Beyond Prison Time

A conviction while on parole doesn’t end when the sentence is served. The ripple effects extend into nearly every corner of daily life.

Employment and Professional Licensing

Many employers conduct background checks, and a new conviction—stacked on an existing record—can close doors across industries. Professionals in fields like nursing, medicine, teaching, and social work risk having their licenses suspended or permanently revoked. These consequences affect not just current employment, but long-term career prospects.

Housing and Public Benefits

A felony conviction can make you ineligible for certain housing assistance programs and federal student loans. Finding stable housing becomes harder, compounding the challenges of reintegration.

Voting Rights and Firearm Ownership

Felony convictions in Indiana result in the loss of voting rights. Individuals convicted of felonies are also prohibited from owning or possessing firearms under both state and federal law—a restriction that carries its own criminal penalties if violated.

Long-Term Record Implications

An additional conviction makes future expungement more complex. Indiana law allows for expungement under certain conditions, but stacking convictions narrows eligibility and increases waiting periods. Getting ahead of these issues with qualified legal counsel is the most effective way to protect your future options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you appeal a parole revocation in Indiana?

Yes. If the Indiana Parole Board revokes your parole, you may have grounds to challenge the decision through the Indiana courts. Procedural errors, lack of evidence, and due process violations are all potential grounds for appeal. An experienced attorney can assess whether an appeal is viable in your case.

What happens immediately after you’re arrested on new charges while on parole?

Your parole officer will typically be notified, and the parole board may issue a warrant for your detention. You may be held without bond on the parole violation while the new criminal case proceeds. The revocation hearing is generally scheduled after a final determination on the new criminal charges.

Can a parole violation be dismissed even if I’m convicted of a new crime?

In limited circumstances, yes—particularly if revocation proceedings are not initiated within the statutory timeframes, or if there are procedural errors in how the violation was reported or handled. However, a new felony conviction makes dismissal of the revocation charge very difficult. Legal counsel is essential to identify any available defenses.

How can an attorney help with a parole violation case?

An attorney can review the allegations, challenge procedural errors, present mitigating evidence at the revocation hearing, negotiate with the parole board, and defend against the new criminal charges. Having representation significantly improves your chances of remaining in the community rather than returning to prison.

Get Legal Help Before It’s Too Late

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime while on parole in Indianapolis, the time to act is now. A new charge doesn’t just threaten your future—it threatens the freedom you already have.

Attorney David E. Lewis offers free criminal defense consultations in Indianapolis and will fight aggressively for your rights. Whether you’re facing parole revocation, new felony charges, or both, experienced legal representation can make the difference between staying in the community and returning to prison. Contact our firm today to schedule your free consultation.

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