Utah criminal charge
Making a false alarm in Utah
Making a false alarm is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105. 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. § 76-9-105.
What is the penalty for making a false alarm in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Making a false alarm — base offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) except as otherwise provided for felony-level circumstances in Subsection (3)(b) or (c).) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Making a false alarm — base offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) except as otherwise provided for felony-level circumstances in Subsection (3)(b) or (c).; 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 (Making a false alarm — imminent threat causing/threatening harm — Applies when the actor makes a false alarm alleging an ongoing act or event or imminent threat that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm, serious bodily injury, or death to another individual, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies.; 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 (Making a false alarm — imminent threat causing/threatening harm — Applies when the actor makes a false alarm alleging an ongoing act or event or imminent threat that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm, serious bodily injury, or death to another individual, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies.; 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 (Making a false alarm — weapon of mass destruction — Applies when the false alarm is regarding a weapon of mass destruction.; 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 (Making a false alarm — weapon of mass destruction — Applies when the false alarm is regarding a weapon of mass destruction.; 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 making a false alarm classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making a false alarm — base offense | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) except as otherwise provided for felony-level circumstances in Subsection (3)(b) or (c). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105(3)(a) |
| Making a false alarm — imminent threat causing/threatening harm | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the actor makes a false alarm alleging an ongoing act or event or imminent threat that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm, serious bodily injury, or death to another individual, unless Subsection (3)(c) applies. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105(3)(b) |
| Making a false alarm — weapon of mass destruction | Second Degree Felony | Applies when the false alarm is regarding a weapon of mass destruction. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105(3)(c) |
Common questions about making a false alarm in Utah
Is making a false alarm a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: making a false alarm ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.
Making a false alarm — base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105(3)(a)) · Making a false alarm — imminent threat causing/threatening harm: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105(3)(b)) · Making a false alarm — weapon of mass destruction: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105(3)(c))
What are the penalties for making a false alarm in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers making a false alarm?
Making a false alarm is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105 (Making a false alarm).
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.