Utah criminal charge
Assault in Utah
Assault is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102. 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. § 76-5-102.
What is the penalty for assault in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Assault - base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor except as provided in Subsection (3)(b).) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Assault - base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor except as provided in Subsection (3)(b).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Assault causing substantial bodily injury or against known pregnant individual — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the actor causes substantial bodily injury to an individual, or if the individual is pregnant and the actor has knowledge of the pregnancy.; 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 (Assault causing substantial bodily injury or against known pregnant individual — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the actor causes substantial bodily injury to an individual, or if the individual is pregnant and the actor has knowledge of the pregnancy.; 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 assault classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault - base offense | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor except as provided in Subsection (3)(b). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102(3)(a) |
| Assault causing substantial bodily injury or against known pregnant individual | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the actor causes substantial bodily injury to an individual, or if the individual is pregnant and the actor has knowledge of the pregnancy. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102(3)(b) |
Common questions about assault in Utah
Is assault a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: assault ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.
Assault - base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102(3)(a)) · Assault causing substantial bodily injury or against known pregnant individual: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102(3)(b))
What are the penalties for assault in Utah?
Penalties for assault 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 assault?
Assault is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102 (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.