Can I Get My Level 6 Felony Reduced to a Misdemeanor in Indiana?
Zach Baber • July 31, 2025
A Level 6 felony is the lowest felony level in Indiana, but it can still carry serious consequences, from jail time to long-term barriers with employment, housing, and more.
If you’ve been convicted of a Level 6 felony, or you’re facing one, you might be asking:
What Is a Level 6 Felony?
But Indiana law gives judges some flexibility, especially when it comes to alternative sentencing and reclassification.
What Is Misdemeanor Conversion?
It allows a Level 6 felony to be treated like a misdemeanor either:
📞 Call us at (260) 244-4422 or
💻 Visit us online to schedule a consultation.
- Can it be reduced to a misdemeanor?
The short answer: Yes, in many cases, it can.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Level 6 Felony?
In Indiana, Level 6 felonies
include offenses like theft, battery, possession of a controlled substance, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) with prior offenses.
Penalties range from 6 months to 2.5 years in jail, and fines up to $10,000.
But Indiana law gives judges some flexibility, especially when it comes to alternative sentencing and reclassification.
What Is Misdemeanor Conversion?
Under Indiana law, courts may enter a judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor instead of a felony in certain cases.
This process is called misdemeanor conversion or alternative misdemeanor sentencing (AMS).
It allows a Level 6 felony to be treated like a misdemeanor either:
- At the time of sentencing, or
- After completion of probation, if the defendant successfully complies with all terms.
To reduce a Level 6 felony to a misdemeanor in Indiana, typically:
- The felony must not be one that is excluded by law (e.g., sex or violent offenses).
- The court must find that converting the charge serves the interests of justice.
- The defendant must not be a habitual offender.
- The person must have completed all probation or executed sentence requirements without violations.
Getting your felony reduced to a misdemeanor can:
- Restore job and housing opportunities (see how criminal records affect employment opportunities).
- Reduce social stigma.
- Improve your chances for expungement in the future.
- Make you eligible for more licenses or certifications.
Every case is different.
You’ll want to speak with a criminal defense attorney who understands local Indiana court practices, especially in counties like Whitley, Allen, Kosciusko, Noble, and Huntington.
At Baber & Baber, P.C., we regularly help people navigate felony charges, seek conversions, and get second chances.
If you're wondering whether your Level 6 felony can be reduced, don’t wait.
📞 Call us at (260) 244-4422 or
💻 Visit us online to schedule a consultation.
Learn what happens if you refuse a breath test in Whitley County, Indiana, including license suspension and your legal options.
An OWI in Indiana costs more than you think. See the full breakdown including fines, fees, and long-term financial impact.
Learn what happens at your first OWI court date in Indiana, including the initial hearing, what to expect, and whether you can go to jail.
Learn how to get your license back after an OWI in Indiana, including suspensions, ignition interlock, and legal driving options.
Learn how long expungement takes in Indiana, including timelines, steps, and what can delay the process from filing to sealed records.
Learn how to expunge a Level 6 or Class D felony in Indiana, including eligibility, waiting periods, and how the expungement process works.
Learn how sentence modifications work in Indiana, when you may qualify, and how courts can reduce or modify a criminal sentence.
Experienced defense for misdemeanor and felony charges in Whitley County and Northeast Indiana. Protect your record and your future.
A clear 2026 guide to OWI and DUI cases in Whitley County, Indiana - court process, license issues, and how to protect your ability to drive.
Learn how we help clients keep driving legally in Indiana while fighting an OWI or DUI, including ignition interlock and driving privilege options.
