Utah criminal charge
Defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands in Utah
Defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5. 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. § 76-6-107.5.
What is the penalty for defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Defacing public lands - first offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor when the individual has no prior conviction under this section.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Defacing public lands - first offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor when the individual has no prior conviction under this section.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Defacing public lands - subsequent offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the individual was previously convicted of violating this section.; 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 (Defacing public lands - subsequent offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the individual was previously convicted of violating this section.; 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 defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defacing public lands - first offense | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor when the individual has no prior conviction under this section. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5(3)(a) |
| Defacing public lands - subsequent offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the individual was previously convicted of violating this section. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5(3)(b) |
Common questions about defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands in Utah
Is defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5.
Defacing public lands - first offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5(3)(a)) · Defacing public lands - subsequent offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5(3)(b))
What are the penalties for defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands in Utah?
Penalties for defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands 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 defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands?
Defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.5 (Defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands).
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.