Ind. Code ch. 35-33-5

Ind. Code ch. 35-33-5
in effect

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-0.1 Application of certain amendments to chapter

Sec. 0.1. The amendments made to section 5 of this chapter by P.L.17-2001 apply to all actions of a law enforcement agency taken after June 30, 2001. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.584.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-0.5 Definitions

Sec. 0.5. The following definitions apply throughout this chapter: (1) "Electronic communication service" means a service that provides users with the ability to send or receive wire or electronic communications. (2) "Electronic storage" means any storage of electronic user data on a computer, computer network, or computer system regardless of whether the data is subject to recall, further manipulation, deletion, or transmission. "Electronic storage" includes any storage or electronic communication by an electronic communication service or a remote computing service. (3) "Electronic user data" means any data or records that are in the possession, care, custody, or control of a provider of an electronic communication service, a remote computing service, or any other service or program that stores, uses, collects, or safeguards electronic user data. (4) "Governmental entity" has the meaning set forth in IC 35-31.5-2-144. For purposes of this chapter, "governmental entity" also includes a person authorized to act on behalf of a state or local agency. (5) "Intercept" means to acquire geolocation data through the use of an electronic device, mechanical device, or other device. (6) "Remote computing service" means the provision to the public of computer storage or processing services by means of an electronic communication service. (7) "Use of an unmanned aerial vehicle" means the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle by a law enforcement officer to obtain evidence relevant to the enforcement of statutes, rules, or regulations. The term includes: (A) the interception of wire, electronic, or oral communications; and (B) the capture, collection, monitoring, or viewing of images. (8) "User" means any person who: (A) uses an electronic communication service, remote computing service, geolocation information service, or an electronic device; and (B) may or may not be the person or entity having legal title, claim, or right to the electronic device or electronic user data. As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.16. Amended by P.L.107-2017, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-1 Issuance by court; probable cause; oath and affirmation; "place" defined; objects of search

Sec. 1. (a) A court may issue warrants only upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, to search any place for any of the following: (1) Property which is obtained unlawfully. (2) Property, the possession of which is unlawful. (3) Property used or possessed with intent to be used as the means of committing an offense or concealed to prevent an offense from being discovered. (4) Property constituting evidence of an offense or tending to show that a particular person committed an offense. (5) Any person. (6) Evidence necessary to enforce statutes enacted to prevent cruelty to or neglect of children. (7) A firearm possessed by a person who is dangerous (as defined in IC 35-47-14-1). (b) As used in this section, "place" includes any location where property might be secreted or hidden, including buildings, persons, or vehicles. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.204, SEC.10; P.L.187-2005, SEC.1; P.L.1-2006, SEC.526.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-2 Affidavit; descriptions; information to establish credibility of hearsay; form

Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in section 8 of this chapter, and subject to the requirements of section 11 of this chapter, if applicable, no warrant for search or arrest shall be issued until there is filed with the judge an affidavit: (1) particularly describing: (A) the house or place to be searched and the things to be searched for; or (B) particularly describing the person to be arrested; (2) alleging substantially the offense in relation thereto and that the affiant believes and has good cause to believe that: (A) the things sought are concealed there; or (B) the person to be arrested committed the offense; and (3) setting forth the facts known to the affiant through personal knowledge or based on hearsay, constituting the probable cause. (b) When based on hearsay, the affidavit must either: (1) contain reliable information establishing the credibility of the source and of each of the declarants of the hearsay and establishing that there is a factual basis for the information furnished; or (2) contain information that establishes that the totality of the circumstances corroborates the hearsay. (c) An affidavit for search substantially in the following form shall be treated as sufficient: STATE OF INDIANA ) ) SS: COUNTY OF ___________________ ) A B swears (or affirms, as the case may be) that he believes and has good cause to believe (here set forth the facts and information constituting the probable cause) that (here describe the things to be searched for and the offense in relation thereto) are concealed in or about the (here describe the house or place) of C D, situated in the county of _____________________, in said state. In accordance with Indiana Trial Rule 11, I affirm under the penalties for perjury that the foregoing representations are true. _______________________________________ (Signed) Affiant Date As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.177-1984, SEC.1; P.L.161-1990, SEC.1; P.L.1-1991, SEC.190; P.L.2-2005, SEC.117; P.L.170-2014, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-3 Form

Sec. 3. A search warrant in substantially the following form shall be sufficient: STATE OF INDIANA ) ) SS: COUNTY OF _____________ ) IN THE _______ COURT OF _____________________ To _______________ (herein insert the name, department or classification of the law enforcement officer to whom it is addressed) You are authorized and ordered, in the name of the State of Indiana, with the necessary and proper assistance to enter into or upon ________________________ (here describe the place to be searched), and there diligently search for ________________ (here describe property which is the subject of the search). You are ordered to seize such property, or any part thereof, found on such search. Dated this ____ day of ______, 20___, at the hour of ___ __M. _________________________ (Signature of Judge) Executed this ___ day of ____, 20___, at the hour of ____ ___M. ________________________________ (Signature of Law Enforcement Officer) As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2005, SEC.118.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-4 Return; initial disposition of property seized

Sec. 4. When the warrant is executed by the seizure of property or things described in it or of any other items: (1) the officer who executed the warrant shall make a return on it directed to the court or judge, who issued the warrant, and this return must indicate the date and time served and list the items seized; and (2) the items so seized shall be securely held by the law enforcement agency whose officer executed the search warrant under the order of the court trying the cause, except as provided in section 5 of this chapter. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.156-2020, SEC.128.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-5 Disposition of property held as evidence; preservation of evidence of a violent offense that could be subjected to DNA testing; records

Sec. 5. (a) All items of property seized by any law enforcement agency as a result of an arrest, search warrant, or warrantless search, shall be securely held by the law enforcement agency under the order of the court trying the cause, except as provided in this section. (b) Evidence that consists of property obtained unlawfully from its owner may be returned by the law enforcement agency to the owner before trial, in accordance with IC 35-43-4-4(h). (c) Following the final disposition of the cause at trial level or any other final disposition the following shall be done: (1) Property which may be lawfully possessed shall be returned to its rightful owner, if known. If ownership is unknown, a reasonable attempt shall be made by the law enforcement agency holding the property to ascertain ownership of the property. After ninety (90) days from the time: (A) the rightful owner has been notified to take possession of the property; or (B) a reasonable effort has been made to ascertain ownership of the property; the law enforcement agency holding the property shall, at a convenient time, dispose of this property at a public auction. The proceeds of this property shall be paid into the county general fund. (2) Except as provided in subsection (e), property, the possession of which is unlawful, shall be destroyed by the law enforcement agency holding it sixty (60) days after final disposition of the cause. (3) A firearm that has been seized from a person who is dangerous (as defined in IC 35-47-14-1) shall be retained, returned, or disposed of in accordance with IC 35-47-14. (d) Except as provided in subsection (g), if any property described in subsection (c) was admitted into evidence in the cause, the property shall be disposed of in accordance with an order of the court trying the cause. (e) A law enforcement agency may destroy or cause to be destroyed chemicals, controlled substances, or chemically contaminated equipment (including drug paraphernalia as described in IC 35-48-4-8.5) associated with the illegal manufacture of drugs or controlled substances without a court order if all the following conditions are met: (1) The law enforcement agency collects and preserves a sufficient quantity of the chemicals, controlled substances, or chemically contaminated equipment to demonstrate that the chemicals, controlled substances, or chemically contaminated equipment was associated with the illegal manufacture of drugs or controlled substances. (2) The law enforcement agency takes photographs of the illegal drug manufacturing site that accurately depict the presence and quantity of chemicals, controlled substances, and chemically contaminated equipment. (3) The law enforcement agency completes a chemical inventory report that describes the type and quantities of chemicals, controlled substances, and chemically contaminated equipment present at the illegal manufacturing site. The photographs and description of the property shall be admissible into evidence in place of the actual physical evidence. (f) For purposes of preserving the record of any conviction on appeal, a photograph demonstrating the nature of the property, and an adequate description of the property must be obtained before the disposition of the property. In the event of a retrial, the photograph and description of the property shall be admissible into evidence in place of the actual physical evidence. All other rules of law governing the admissibility of evidence shall apply to the photographs. (g) All evidence for a violent offense (as defined in IC 11-12-3.7-6) in the law enforcement agency's possession or control that could be subjected to DNA testing and analysis shall be preserved by the law enforcement agency for the later of the following: (1) Twenty (20) years from the date the defendant's conviction becomes final. (2) The period of the defendant's incarceration. In cases where an investigation did not result in a conviction, the evidence shall be preserved until the expiration of the statute of limitations for the alleged offense. If the preservation of the evidence is impracticable, the law enforcement agency shall remove portions of the material evidence likely to contain biological evidence related to the offense, in a quantity sufficient to permit future DNA testing before returning or disposing of the physical evidence. At subsequent hearings or trials, all records, notes, identification numbers, photographs, and other documentation relating to the preservation of biological evidence shall be admissible into evidence. (h) The law enforcement agency disposing of property in any manner provided in subsection (b), (c), (e), or (g), shall maintain certified records of any disposition under subsection (b), (c), (e), or (g). Disposition by destruction of property shall be witnessed by two (2) persons who shall also attest to the destruction. (i) This section does not affect the procedure for the disposition of firearms seized by a law enforcement agency. (j) A law enforcement agency that disposes of property by auction under this section shall permanently stamp or otherwise permanently identify the property as property sold by the law enforcement agency. (k) Upon motion of the prosecuting attorney, the court shall order property seized under IC 34-24-1 transferred, subject to the perfected liens or other security interests of any person in the property, to the appropriate federal authority for disposition under 18 U.S.C. 981(e), 19 U.S.C. 1616a, or 21 U.S.C. 881(e) and any related regulations adopted by the United States Department of Justice. (l) The law enforcement agency responsible for disposing of property under subsection (g), shall do the following: (1) Maintain a record of the preserved evidence. (2) Schedule a disposal date for the preserved evidence. (3) Provide notice to the last known address of the defendant and the defendant's attorney: (A) when the preserved evidence is removed from its secure location; or (B) of the date the preserved evidence has been marked for disposal. The defendant or the defendant's attorney must provide the most current address of the defendant or the defendant's attorney to the law enforcement agency responsible for disposing of property in order to effectively receive proper notice. If the law enforcement agency responsible for disposing of property does not have the defendant's or the defendant's attorney's most current address on file, then the notice requirement is deemed waived. (m) Failure of a law enforcement agency to follow the procedures described in this section may constitute contempt of court. However, failure to follow the procedures described in this section shall not be grounds for reversal of a conviction unless the defendant proves a violation of the defendant's due process rights. (n) Nothing in subsection (g) shall preclude a law enforcement agency from submitting biological evidence to forensic DNA testing or analysis, at its own initiative or at the request of a prosecuting attorney, if such testing will not consume the remainder of the evidence. If such testing would consume the remainder of the evidence, the prosecuting attorney may seek a court order allowing such testing under IC 35-38-7-17. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.320-1983, SEC.6; P.L.294-1989, SEC.1; P.L.174-1999, SEC.2; P.L.17-2001, SEC.11; P.L.187-2005, SEC.2; P.L.1-2006, SEC.527; P.L.151-2006, SEC.14; P.L.1-2007, SEC.225; P.L.89-2022, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-6 Dead body; search of building or place; affidavit

Sec. 6. When an affidavit is filed before a judge alleging that the affiant has good reasons to believe, and does believe, that a dead human body is illegally secreted in a certain building, or other particularly specified place in the county, the judge may issue a search warrant authorizing a law enforcement officer to enter and search the building or other place for the dead body. While making the search, the law enforcement officer shall have the power of an officer executing a regular search warrant. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-7 Execution of search warrant; forcible entry; wrongful entry; recovery of damages

Sec. 7. (a) A search warrant issued by a court of record may be executed according to its terms anywhere in the state. A search warrant issued by a court that is not a court of record may be executed according to its terms anywhere in the county of the issuing court. (b) Except as provided in subsection (f), a search warrant must be: (1) executed not more than ten (10) days after the date of issuance; and (2) returned to the court without unnecessary delay after the execution. (c) A search warrant may be executed: (1) on any day of the week; and (2) at any time of the day or night. (d) A law enforcement officer may break open any outer or inner door or window in order to execute a search warrant, if the officer is not admitted following an announcement of the officer's authority and purpose. (e) A person or persons whose property is wrongfully damaged or whose person is wrongfully injured by any law enforcement officer or officers who wrongfully enter may recover such damage from the responsible authority and the law enforcement officer or officers as the court may determine. The action may be filed in the circuit court or superior court in the county where the wrongful entry took place. (f) Notwithstanding section 4 of this chapter, a warrant authorizing a search, testing, or other analysis of an item, tangible or intangible, is deemed executed when the item is seized by a law enforcement officer. A return of a warrant authorizing a search, testing, or other analysis of an item is sufficient if the return contains a statement indicating that the item was seized by a law enforcement officer. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.320-1983, SEC.7; P.L.201-2011, SEC.111; P.L.63-2020, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-8 Issue of warrant without affidavit; types of sworn testimony; procedures; perjury

Sec. 8. (a) A judge may issue a search or arrest warrant without the affidavit required under section 2 of this chapter, if the judge receives testimony subject to the penalties for perjury of the same facts required for an affidavit: (1) in a nonadversarial, recorded hearing before the judge; (2) orally by telephone, radio, or similar electronic means; (3) in writing by facsimile transmission (FAX); or (4) in writing by electronic mail or other electronic transmission. (b) If a warrant is issued under subsection (a)(1), the judge shall order the court reporter to type or transcribe the testimony from the hearing for entry in the record. The judge shall then certify the transcript. (c) After reciting the facts required for an affidavit and verifying the facts recited under penalty of perjury, an applicant for a warrant under subsection (a)(2) shall read to the judge from a warrant form on which the applicant enters the information read by the applicant to the judge. The judge may direct the applicant to modify the warrant. If the judge agrees to issue the warrant, the judge shall direct the applicant to sign the judge's name to the warrant, adding the time of the issuance of the warrant. (d) After transmitting an affidavit, an applicant for a warrant under subsection (a)(3) or (a)(4) shall transmit to the judge a copy of a warrant form completed by the applicant. The judge may modify the transmitted warrant. If the judge agrees to issue the warrant, the judge shall sign, affix the date and time, and transmit to the applicant a duplicate of the warrant. (e) If a warrant is issued under subsection (a)(2), the conversation shall be recorded on audio tape or electronically. The recording shall be typed or transcribed for entry in the record. The judge shall certify the audio tape or electronic recording, the transcription, and the warrant retained by the judge for entry in the record. The prosecuting attorney and law enforcement agency shall maintain, and provide to the defendant in discovery, all relevant requests for warrants, including any relevant warrants that may have been denied by the court, and any recordings of the conversation that was transcribed. (f) If a warrant is issued under subsection (a)(3), the facsimile copy of the affidavit and warrant sent to the judge shall be retained as if they were the originals. If a warrant is issued under subsection (a)(4), the electronically transmitted copy of the affidavit and warrant sent to the judge shall be printed and retained as if they were the originals. (g) The court reporter shall notify the applicant who received a warrant under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) when the transcription required under this section is entered in the record. The applicant shall sign the transcribed entry upon receiving notice from the court reporter. (h) The affiant and the judge may use an electronic signature on the affidavit and warrant. An electronic signature may be indicated by "s/Affiant's Name" or "s/Judge's Name" or by any other electronic means that identifies the affiant or judge and indicates that the affiant or judge adopts the contents of the document to which the electronic signature is affixed. As added by P.L.161-1990, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.170-2014, SEC.18; P.L.113-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-9 Unmanned aerial vehicles; search warrant; exceptions

Sec. 9. A law enforcement officer must obtain a search warrant in order to use an unmanned aerial vehicle: (1) on or over private property; or (2) to conduct a search, perform surveillance, obtain a photograph, or obtain video of private property or of individuals, items, or structures located on private property; without the consent of the owner of the affected private property. However, a warrant is not required for a use of an unmanned aerial vehicle if a warrant would not be required for a search not using an unmanned aerial vehicle. As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.57-2016, SEC.2; P.L.136-2019, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-10 Admissibility of evidence; unmanned aerial vehicles

Sec. 10. The following are not admissible as evidence in an administrative or judicial proceeding: (1) A communication or an image that is obtained through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle in violation of section 9 of this chapter. (2) Evidence derived from a communication or an image described in subdivision (1). As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.20.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-11 Electronic user data held in electronic storage

Sec. 11. (a) This subsection does not apply to electronic or video toll collection facilities or activities authorized under any of the following: (1) IC 8-15-2. (2) IC 8-15-3. (3) IC 8-15.5. (4) IC 8-15.7. (5) IC 8-16. (6) IC 9-21-3.5. A law enforcement officer may not compel a user to provide a passkey, password, or keycode to any electronic communication service, electronic device, or electronic storage, or any form of stored electronic user data, without a valid search warrant issued by a judge using search warrant procedures. (b) A judge may issue a court order under this section for electronic user data held in electronic storage, including the records and information related to a wire communication or electronic communication held in electronic storage, by a provider of an electronic communication service or a provider of a remote computing service regardless of whether the user data is held at a location in Indiana or at a location in another state. (c) A judge may issue a court order under this section on a service provider that is a corporation or entity that is incorporated or organized under the laws of Indiana or a company or business entity doing business in Indiana under a contract or terms of a service agreement with an Indiana resident. The service provider shall produce all information sought, as required by the court order. (d) Any Indiana corporation that provides electronic communication services or remote computing services to the public shall comply with a valid court order issued in another state that is seeking the information described in this section, if the court order is served on the corporation. As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.21.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-12 Use of real time tracking instruments; geolocation information

Sec. 12. (a) A law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency may not use a real time tracking instrument that is capable of obtaining geolocation information concerning a cellular device or a device connected to a cellular network unless: (1) the law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency has obtained an order issued by a court based upon a finding of probable cause to use the tracking instrument; or (2) exigent circumstances exist that necessitate using the tracking instrument without first obtaining a court order. (b) If a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency uses a real time tracking instrument described in subsection (a) based upon the existence of exigent circumstances, the law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency shall seek to obtain an order issued by a court based upon a finding of probable cause not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the initial use of the real time tracking instrument. As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.22.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-13 Immunity from civil or criminal liability

Sec. 13. An electronic communication service, remote computing service, and geolocation information service are immune from civil or criminal liability for providing information or evidence as required by a court order under this chapter. As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.23.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-14 Notice to news media concerning search warrants

Sec. 14. (a) For purposes of IC 34-46-4 (Journalist's Privilege Against Disclosure of Information Source) and subject to subsection (b), if: (1) a governmental entity requests that a court issue a search warrant to a provider of: (A) electronic communication service; or (B) remote computing service; and (2) the search warrant seeks information or communications concerning a news media entity or a person otherwise described in IC 34-46-4-1; the news media entity or person described in IC 34-46-4-1 shall be given reasonable and timely notice of the search warrant request and shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the court concerning the issuance of the search warrant before the search warrant is issued. (b) If: (1) the search warrant that would be issued to a provider described in subsection (a)(1) concerns a criminal investigation in which the news media entity or person described in IC 34-46-4-1 is a target of the criminal investigation; and (2) the notice that would be provided to the news media entity or person described in IC 34-46-4-1 under subsection (a) would pose a clear and substantial threat to the integrity of the criminal investigation; the governmental entity shall certify the threat to the court and notice of the search warrant shall be given to the news media entity or person described in IC 34-46-4-1 as soon as the court determines that the notice no longer poses a clear and substantial threat to the integrity of the criminal investigation. As added by P.L.170-2014, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-15 Provision of geolocation information; law enforcement agency request; emergency contact information

Sec. 15. (a) As used in this section, "geolocation information" means data generated by an electronic device that can be used to determine the location of the electronic device or the owner or user of the electronic device. The term: (1) includes geolocation information generated by a: (A) cellular telephone; (B) wireless fidelity (wi-fi) equipped computer; (C) GPS navigation or tracking unit; or (D) similar electronic device; and (2) does not include the contents of a communication sent or received by an electronic device. (b) Upon the request of a law enforcement agency, a provider of electronic communications services used by an electronic device shall provide geolocation information in its possession concerning the electronic device or the owner or user of the electronic device to the law enforcement agency: (1) to allow a law enforcement agency to respond to a call for emergency services; or (2) in an emergency situation that involves the risk of: (A) death; or (B) serious bodily injury; to the owner or user or another individual. A law enforcement agency may make a request for geolocation information under this subsection without first obtaining a search warrant or another judicial order that would otherwise be required to obtain the geolocation information, if obtaining the search warrant or other judicial order would cause an unreasonable delay in responding to a call for emergency services or an emergency situation. If a law enforcement agency makes a request for geolocation information under this subsection without first obtaining a search warrant or another judicial order, the law enforcement agency shall seek to obtain the search warrant or other judicial order issued by a court based upon a finding of probable cause that would otherwise be required to obtain the geolocation information not later than seventy-two (72) hours after making the request for the geolocation information. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, a provider of electronic communications services may establish protocols to respond to a law enforcement agency request for geolocation information made under this section. (d) A provider of electronic communications services or an officer, an employee, or an agent of a provider of electronic communications services that provides geolocation information to a law enforcement agency while responding to a request for geolocation information made under this section is not liable for civil damages arising from: (1) the provision of the geolocation information if the provision of the information is done in compliance with this section; or (2) any loss, damage, or other injury to person or property resulting from a disruption or loss of communications services during an emergency situation. (e) A provider of electronic communications services used by an electronic device that is qualified or registered to do business in Indiana and a person that resells or otherwise makes available the electronic communications services of the provider in Indiana shall submit emergency contact information to the state police department to facilitate a request for geolocation information made by a law enforcement agency under this section. The emergency contact information must be submitted to the state police department: (1) before January 1, 2017, and before January 1 of each year thereafter; and (2) as soon as possible any time a change occurs to the emergency contact information most recently submitted to the state police department. (f) The state police department shall: (1) maintain the emergency contact information submitted to the state police department under subsection (e); and (2) make the information immediately available to a state or local law enforcement agency. (g) The superintendent of the state police department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 necessary to implement this section. As added by P.L.57-2016, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 35-33-5-16 Questioning by law enforcement; admissibility

Sec. 16. (a) A law enforcement officer may not: (1) direct; (2) encourage; or (3) knowingly permit; a person who is not a law enforcement officer to question an individual whom a reasonable officer would believe is in custody if the questioning is reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response. (b) A statement obtained in violation of subsection (a) is not admissible in a criminal, child welfare, or juvenile proceeding. However, this subsection does not apply to evidence discovered as a result of the statement. As added by P.L.131-2025, SEC.3.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/35Fetched: 10/17/2026

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