Utah criminal charge
Human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Utah
Human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1. 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. § 76-5-308.1.
What is the penalty for human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done knowingly — The violation involves a commercial sexual act and is done knowingly.; indeterminate prison term of not less than five years and which may be for life, 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 (Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done knowingly — The violation involves a commercial sexual act and is done knowingly.; 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 (Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done knowingly — The violation involves a commercial sexually explicit performance and is done knowingly.; 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 (Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done knowingly — The violation involves a commercial sexually explicit performance and is done knowingly.; 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 (Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done recklessly — The violation involves a commercial sexual act and is done recklessly.; 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 (Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done recklessly — The violation involves a commercial sexual act and is done recklessly.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done recklessly — The violation involves a commercial sexually explicit performance and is done recklessly.; 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 (Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done recklessly — The violation involves a commercial sexually explicit performance and is done recklessly.; 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 human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done knowingly | First Degree Felony | The violation involves a commercial sexual act and is done knowingly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(a) |
| Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done knowingly | Second Degree Felony | The violation involves a commercial sexually explicit performance and is done knowingly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(b) |
| Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done recklessly | Second Degree Felony | The violation involves a commercial sexual act and is done recklessly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(b) |
| Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done recklessly | Third Degree Felony | The violation involves a commercial sexually explicit performance and is done recklessly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(c) |
Common questions about human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Utah
Is human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1.
Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done knowingly: First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(a)) · Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done knowingly: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(b)) · Human trafficking involving commercial sexual act, done recklessly: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(b)) · Human trafficking involving commercial sexually explicit performance, done recklessly: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1(3)(c))
What are the penalties for human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Utah?
Penalties for human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Third Degree Felony up to a First Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation?
Human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-308.1 (Human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation).
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.