Utah criminal charge
Aggravated assault in Utah
Aggravated assault is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103.
What is the penalty for aggravated assault in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Aggravated assault — base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) that does not result in serious bodily injury, loss of consciousness, or targeting of a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Aggravated assault — base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) that does not result in serious bodily injury, loss of consciousness, or targeting of a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Aggravated assault — serious bodily injury — A violation of Subsection (2) where the act results in serious bodily injury, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated assault — serious bodily injury — A violation of Subsection (2) where the act results in serious bodily injury, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Aggravated assault — loss of consciousness from choking/blocking airway — A violation of Subsection (2) where an act under Subsection (2)(b)(ii) (impeding breathing or blood circulation) produces a loss of consciousness, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated assault — loss of consciousness from choking/blocking airway — A violation of Subsection (2) where an act under Subsection (2)(b)(ii) (impeding breathing or blood circulation) produces a loss of consciousness, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Aggravated assault — targeting a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury — A violation of Subsection (2) where the conduct constitutes targeting a law enforcement officer and results in serious bodily injury.; indeterminate prison term of not less than five years and which may be for life, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated assault — targeting a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury — A violation of Subsection (2) where the conduct constitutes targeting a law enforcement officer and results in serious bodily injury.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is aggravated assault classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated assault — base offense | Third Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) that does not result in serious bodily injury, loss of consciousness, or targeting of a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(a) |
| Aggravated assault — serious bodily injury | Second Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) where the act results in serious bodily injury, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(b) |
| Aggravated assault — loss of consciousness from choking/blocking airway | Second Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) where an act under Subsection (2)(b)(ii) (impeding breathing or blood circulation) produces a loss of consciousness, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(b) |
| Aggravated assault — targeting a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury | First Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) where the conduct constitutes targeting a law enforcement officer and results in serious bodily injury. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(c) |
Common questions about aggravated assault in Utah
Is aggravated assault a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: aggravated assault ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103.
Aggravated assault — base offense: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(a)) · Aggravated assault — serious bodily injury: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(b)) · Aggravated assault — loss of consciousness from choking/blocking airway: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(b)) · Aggravated assault — targeting a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury: First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(c))
What are the penalties for aggravated assault in Utah?
Penalties for aggravated assault in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Third Degree Felony up to a First Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers aggravated assault?
Aggravated assault is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103 (Aggravated assault).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.