Utah criminal charge
Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution in Utah
Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205. 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. § 76-5d-205.
What is the penalty for entering or remaining in a place of prostitution in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — base offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) unless the actor has two or more prior qualifying convictions as described in Subsection (3)(b).; 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 (Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — base offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) unless the actor has two or more prior qualifying convictions as described 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 | up to 5 years (Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — repeat offender — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) if the actor has previously been convicted two or more times of the same offense or a similar local ordinance violation.; 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 (Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — repeat offender — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) if the actor has previously been convicted two or more times of the same offense or a similar local ordinance violation.; 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 entering or remaining in a place of prostitution classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) unless the actor has two or more prior qualifying convictions as described in Subsection (3)(b). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205(3)(a) |
| Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — repeat offender | Third Degree Felony | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) if the actor has previously been convicted two or more times of the same offense or a similar local ordinance violation. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205(3)(b) |
Common questions about entering or remaining in a place of prostitution in Utah
Is entering or remaining in a place of prostitution a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: entering or remaining in a place of prostitution ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205.
Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205(3)(a)) · Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution — repeat offender: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205(3)(b))
What are the penalties for entering or remaining in a place of prostitution in Utah?
Penalties for entering or remaining in a place of prostitution in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class A Misdemeanor up to a Third Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers entering or remaining in a place of prostitution?
Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-205 (Entering or remaining in a place of prostitution).
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.