Utah criminal charge
Communications fraud in Utah
Communications fraud is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525. 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. § 76-6-525.
What is the penalty for communications fraud in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Communications fraud (value under $500) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Communications fraud (value under $500) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Communications fraud (value $500 to $1,500) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500.; 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 (Communications fraud (value $500 to $1,500) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500.; 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 5 years (Communications fraud (value $1,500 to $5,000) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000.; 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 (Communications fraud (value $1,500 to $5,000) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000.; 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 (Communications fraud (value $5,000 or more) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000.; 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 (Communications fraud (value $5,000 or more) — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000.; 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 (Communications fraud — sensitive personal identifying information — The object or purpose of the scheme or artifice to defraud is to obtain sensitive personal identifying information, regardless of the value involved.; 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 (Communications fraud — sensitive personal identifying information — The object or purpose of the scheme or artifice to defraud is to obtain sensitive personal identifying information, regardless of the value involved.; 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 communications fraud classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communications fraud (value under $500) | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(a) |
| Communications fraud (value $500 to $1,500) | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(b) |
| Communications fraud (value $1,500 to $5,000) | Third Degree Felony | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(c) |
| Communications fraud (value $5,000 or more) | Second Degree Felony | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(d) |
| Communications fraud — sensitive personal identifying information | Second Degree Felony | The object or purpose of the scheme or artifice to defraud is to obtain sensitive personal identifying information, regardless of the value involved. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(e) |
Common questions about communications fraud in Utah
Is communications fraud a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: communications fraud ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525.
Communications fraud (value under $500): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(a)) · Communications fraud (value $500 to $1,500): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(b)) · Communications fraud (value $1,500 to $5,000): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(c)) · Communications fraud (value $5,000 or more): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(d)) · Communications fraud — sensitive personal identifying information: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525(3)(e))
What are the penalties for communications fraud in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers communications fraud?
Communications fraud is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-525 (Communications fraud).
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.