The credit time law in Indiana can dramatically reduce a prison sentence.

Convicted of  a Crime?

Most people convicted of a crime go through a similar mental struggle when they hear their sentence. They start thinking about all the time they'll miss while in prison or jail and how their life will be different after all those months and years pass.

The good news is that the outcome doesn't have to be as gloomy as it first seems. That's due to Indiana's credit time law, which is a way for many inmates to reduce their sentences.

What Is the Credit Time Law?

The credit time law is a law which allows inmates to earn time off their sentence when they abide by the rules of their institution. You may have heard it called "time off for good behavior," or “good time credit,” and many states have a similar law.

This criminal law is an incentive to reduce crimes and other problems in jails and prisons. Sometimes, your behavior could cut as much as 50% off your sentence. If a person was convicted of a crime in Indiana, then read below to understand how credit time works.

How Does the Credit Time Law Work in Indiana?

The gist of the Indiana credit time law under Indiana Code 35-50-6-3.1  is that you earn days off your sentence for the time you serve without disciplinary action. The amount of time you have to serve for each day of credit will vary based on the nature of your conviction and other factors.

Indiana does this by categorizing you into one of five credit classes: A, B, C, D, and P.

Credit Class A includes people who are convicted of misdemeanors and less serious felonies, like a level 6 felony. In this class, you earn one (1) day of credit time for each day you serve. This means you may serve just half of your sentence.

Credit Class B includes those serving sentences for higher-level felonies, giving you one (1) day of credit for every three (3) days served. 

Credit Class C includes inmates who are "credit restricted felons:" people convicted of certain crimes like murder with specific circumstances or certain types of child molestation. In that class, you earn one (1) credit day for every six (6) days served.

Credit Class D is a classification for inmates with disciplinary measures, and while in this class, you aren't eligible for any credit time. 

Finally, Credit Class P is for those who are on house arrest while awaiting trial or pretrial home detention awaiting trial. Those in Class P earn one (1) day of credit for every four (4) days served.

How Do I Know How Much Time I Can Earn?

Understanding your credit time eligibility can be complex. On top of relying on an experienced defense attorney, you can use various tools to get more details. For instance, the Indiana courts have a credit time calculator. You enter your highest conviction and the days you've served to see your time earned.

If you want more details, there is also a sentencing calculator. This calculator shows you your earned credit time based on your specific case file.

Cutting Down Your Time

Indiana's credit time law is a valuable tool to help people serve their sentences and get back to a productive life in less time. To learn more about your eligibility and how the credit time law can help your case, call our Indiana defense attorney today.

For additional information see our Jail Time Calculator resources page here.