Utah criminal charge
Theft detection shielding devices prohibited in Utah
Theft detection shielding devices prohibited is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608. 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. § 76-6-608.
What is the penalty for theft detection shielding devices prohibited in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Making/possessing shielding device with intent to steal — Violation of Subsection (2)(a) - making or possessing a shielding container/device with intent to commit theft.; 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 (Making/possessing shielding device with intent to steal — Violation of Subsection (2)(a) - making or possessing a shielding container/device with intent to commit theft.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Selling/transferring shielding device — Violation of Subsection (2)(b) - selling, offering, advertising, giving, transporting, or transferring a shielding device.; 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 (Selling/transferring shielding device — Violation of Subsection (2)(b) - selling, offering, advertising, giving, transporting, or transferring a shielding device.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Possessing tool to remove theft detection device — Violation of Subsection (2)(c) - possessing a tool/instrument intended to remove theft detection devices without permission.; 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 (Possessing tool to remove theft detection device — Violation of Subsection (2)(c) - possessing a tool/instrument intended to remove theft detection devices without permission.; 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 6 months (Removing theft detection device - merchandise under $500 — Violation of Subsection (2)(d) where the retail value of the merchandise is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Removing theft detection device - merchandise under $500 — Violation of Subsection (2)(d) where the retail value of the merchandise is less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Removing theft detection device - merchandise $500 or more — Violation of Subsection (2)(d) where the retail value of the merchandise is $500 or more.; 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 (Removing theft detection device - merchandise $500 or more — Violation of Subsection (2)(d) where the retail value of the merchandise is $500 or more.; 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 theft detection shielding devices prohibited classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making/possessing shielding device with intent to steal | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of Subsection (2)(a) - making or possessing a shielding container/device with intent to commit theft. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(a) |
| Selling/transferring shielding device | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of Subsection (2)(b) - selling, offering, advertising, giving, transporting, or transferring a shielding device. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(a) |
| Possessing tool to remove theft detection device | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of Subsection (2)(c) - possessing a tool/instrument intended to remove theft detection devices without permission. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(a) |
| Removing theft detection device - merchandise under $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | Violation of Subsection (2)(d) where the retail value of the merchandise is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(b)(i) |
| Removing theft detection device - merchandise $500 or more | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of Subsection (2)(d) where the retail value of the merchandise is $500 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(b)(ii) |
Common questions about theft detection shielding devices prohibited in Utah
Is theft detection shielding devices prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: theft detection shielding devices prohibited ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608.
Making/possessing shielding device with intent to steal: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(a)) · Selling/transferring shielding device: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(a)) · Possessing tool to remove theft detection device: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(a)) · Removing theft detection device - merchandise under $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(b)(i)) · Removing theft detection device - merchandise $500 or more: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608(3)(b)(ii))
What are the penalties for theft detection shielding devices prohibited in Utah?
Penalties for theft detection shielding devices prohibited 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 theft detection shielding devices prohibited?
Theft detection shielding devices prohibited is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-608 (Theft detection shielding devices prohibited).
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.