Utah criminal charge
Agricultural operation interference in Utah
Agricultural operation interference is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112. 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. § 76-6-112.
What is the penalty for agricultural operation interference in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Unauthorized recording device left on agricultural operation — A violation of Subsection (2)(a), i.e., without consent, knowingly or intentionally recording images or sound from an agricultural operation by leaving a recording device on the property, is a class A misdemeanor.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Unauthorized recording device left on agricultural operation — A violation of Subsection (2)(a), i.e., without consent, knowingly or intentionally recording images or sound from an agricultural operation by leaving a recording device on the property, is a class A misdemeanor.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Access to agricultural operation under false pretenses — A violation of Subsection (2)(b), obtaining access to an agricultural operation under false pretenses, is a class B misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Access to agricultural operation under false pretenses — A violation of Subsection (2)(b), obtaining access to an agricultural operation under false pretenses, is a class B misdemeanor.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Employment obtained to record agricultural operation — A violation of Subsection (2)(c), applying for and accepting employment with intent to record despite knowing recording is prohibited, then recording while employed and present, is a class B misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Employment obtained to record agricultural operation — A violation of Subsection (2)(c), applying for and accepting employment with intent to record despite knowing recording is prohibited, then recording while employed and present, is a class B misdemeanor.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Recording during criminal trespass on agricultural operation — A violation of Subsection (2)(d), recording images or sound without consent while committing criminal trespass on the agricultural operation, is a class B misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Recording during criminal trespass on agricultural operation — A violation of Subsection (2)(d), recording images or sound without consent while committing criminal trespass on the agricultural operation, is a class B misdemeanor.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is agricultural operation interference classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized recording device left on agricultural operation | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2)(a), i.e., without consent, knowingly or intentionally recording images or sound from an agricultural operation by leaving a recording device on the property, is a class A misdemeanor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(a) |
| Access to agricultural operation under false pretenses | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2)(b), obtaining access to an agricultural operation under false pretenses, is a class B misdemeanor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(b) |
| Employment obtained to record agricultural operation | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2)(c), applying for and accepting employment with intent to record despite knowing recording is prohibited, then recording while employed and present, is a class B misdemeanor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(b) |
| Recording during criminal trespass on agricultural operation | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2)(d), recording images or sound without consent while committing criminal trespass on the agricultural operation, is a class B misdemeanor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(b) |
Common questions about agricultural operation interference in Utah
Is agricultural operation interference a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: agricultural operation interference ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112.
Unauthorized recording device left on agricultural operation: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(a)) · Access to agricultural operation under false pretenses: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(b)) · Employment obtained to record agricultural operation: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(b)) · Recording during criminal trespass on agricultural operation: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112(3)(b))
What are the penalties for agricultural operation interference in Utah?
Penalties for agricultural operation interference in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Class A Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers agricultural operation interference?
Agricultural operation interference is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-112 (Agricultural operation interference - Penalties).
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.