Utah criminal charge
Child abuse in Utah
Child abuse is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109. 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. § 76-5-109.
What is the penalty for child abuse in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Child abuse — intentional or knowing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly.; 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 (Child abuse — intentional or knowing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly.; 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 (Child abuse — reckless — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if committed recklessly.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Child abuse — reckless — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if committed recklessly.; 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 90 days (Child abuse — criminal negligence — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor if committed with criminal negligence.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $750 (Child abuse — criminal negligence — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor if committed with criminal negligence.; 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 child abuse classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child abuse — intentional or knowing | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109(3)(a) |
| Child abuse — reckless | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if committed recklessly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109(3)(b) |
| Child abuse — criminal negligence | Class C Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor if committed with criminal negligence. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109(3)(c) |
Common questions about child abuse in Utah
Is child abuse a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: child abuse ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109.
Child abuse — intentional or knowing: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109(3)(a)) · Child abuse — reckless: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109(3)(b)) · Child abuse — criminal negligence: Class C Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109(3)(c))
What are the penalties for child abuse in Utah?
Penalties for child abuse in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class C 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 child abuse?
Child abuse is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109 (Child abuse).
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.