Utah criminal charge

Library theft in Utah

Current through 2026 Utah legislative session

Library theft is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801. 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. § 76-6-801.

What is the penalty for library theft in Utah?

Penalties for Library theft
Penalty	Range	Basis	Authority
Jail / prison	1 years to 15 years (Library theft — value $5,000 or more — The value of the library materials 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 (Library theft — value $5,000 or more — The value of the library materials 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	up to 6 months (Library theft — value under $500, no aggravating conditions — The value of the library materials stolen is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as an offense under Subsection (3)(c).)	discretionary	Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204
Fine	up to $1,000 (Library theft — value under $500, no aggravating conditions — The value of the library materials stolen is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as an offense under Subsection (3)(c).; 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 library theft classified in Utah?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Library theft
Variant	Classification	When it applies	Statute
Library theft — value $5,000 or more	Second Degree Felony	The value of the library materials is or exceeds $5,000.	Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801(3)(a)
Library theft — value under $500, no aggravating conditions	Class B Misdemeanor	The value of the library materials stolen is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as an offense under Subsection (3)(c).	Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801(3)(d)

Common questions about library theft in Utah

Is library theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: library theft ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801.

Library theft — value $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801(3)(a)) · Library theft — value under $500, no aggravating conditions: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801(3)(d))

What are the penalties for library theft in Utah?

Penalties for library theft in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Second Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Utah statute covers library theft?

Library theft is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-801 (Library theft).

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.