Utah criminal charge
Theft of utility or cable television services in Utah
Theft of utility or cable television services is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3. 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. § 76-6-409.3.
What is the penalty for theft of utility or cable television services in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Theft of utility service ($5,000 or more, or prior conviction) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $5,000, or the actor has previously been convicted of a violation of this section.; 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 (Theft of utility service ($5,000 or more, or prior conviction) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $5,000, or the actor has previously been convicted of a violation of this section.; 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 (Theft of utility service ($1,500-$5,000) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $1,500 but is not more than $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 $5,000 (Theft of utility service ($1,500-$5,000) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $1,500 but is not more than $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 | Theft of utility service ($500-$1,500) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $500 but is not more than $1,500.; 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 (Theft of utility service ($500-$1,500) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $500 but is not more than $1,500.; 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 (Theft of utility service (under $500) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Theft of utility service (under $500) — The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service 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 | 1 years to 15 years (Theft of cable television service ($5,000 or more) — The value of the cable television service 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 (Theft of cable television service ($5,000 or more) — The value of the cable television service 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 5 years (Theft of cable television service ($1,500-$5,000, or repeat qualifying offender, or prior felony) — The value of the service is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000, or the value is $500 or more with two prior qualifying convictions (at least one a class A misdemeanor), or the actor has a prior felony conviction for a qualifying offense within 10 years.; 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 (Theft of cable television service ($1,500-$5,000, or repeat qualifying offender, or prior felony) — The value of the service is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000, or the value is $500 or more with two prior qualifying convictions (at least one a class A misdemeanor), or the actor has a prior felony conviction for a qualifying offense within 10 years.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Theft of cable television service ($500-$1,500, or twice-prior qualifying offender) — The value of the service stolen is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500, or the actor has twice before been convicted of qualifying offenses within 10 years.; 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 (Theft of cable television service ($500-$1,500, or twice-prior qualifying offender) — The value of the service stolen is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500, or the actor has twice before been convicted of qualifying offenses within 10 years.; 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 (Theft of cable television service (under $500) — The value of the service is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as a class A misdemeanor under (3)(b)(iii).) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Theft of cable television service (under $500) — The value of the service is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as a class A misdemeanor under (3)(b)(iii).; 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 of utility or cable television services classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theft of utility service ($5,000 or more, or prior conviction) | Second Degree Felony | The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $5,000, or the actor has previously been convicted of a violation of this section. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(i) |
| Theft of utility service ($1,500-$5,000) | Third Degree Felony | The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $1,500 but is not more than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(ii) |
| Theft of utility service ($500-$1,500) | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is or exceeds $500 but is not more than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(iii) |
| Theft of utility service (under $500) | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the gas, electricity, water, or sewer service is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(iv) |
| Theft of cable television service ($5,000 or more) | Second Degree Felony | The value of the cable television service is or exceeds $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(i) |
| Theft of cable television service ($1,500-$5,000, or repeat qualifying offender, or prior felony) | Third Degree Felony | The value of the service is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000, or the value is $500 or more with two prior qualifying convictions (at least one a class A misdemeanor), or the actor has a prior felony conviction for a qualifying offense within 10 years. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(ii) |
| Theft of cable television service ($500-$1,500, or twice-prior qualifying offender) | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the service stolen is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500, or the actor has twice before been convicted of qualifying offenses within 10 years. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(iii) |
| Theft of cable television service (under $500) | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the service is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as a class A misdemeanor under (3)(b)(iii). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(iv) |
Common questions about theft of utility or cable television services in Utah
Is theft of utility or cable television services a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: theft of utility or cable television services ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3.
Theft of utility service ($5,000 or more, or prior conviction): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(i)) · Theft of utility service ($1,500-$5,000): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(ii)) · Theft of utility service ($500-$1,500): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(iii)) · Theft of utility service (under $500): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(a)(iv)) · Theft of cable television service ($5,000 or more): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(i)) · Theft of cable television service ($1,500-$5,000, or repeat qualifying offender, or prior felony): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(ii)) · Theft of cable television service ($500-$1,500, or twice-prior qualifying offender): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(iii)) · Theft of cable television service (under $500): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3(3)(b)(iv))
What are the penalties for theft of utility or cable television services in Utah?
Penalties for theft of utility or cable television services 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 theft of utility or cable television services?
Theft of utility or cable television services is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-409.3 (Theft of utility or cable television services - Restitution - Civil action for damages).
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.