Utah criminal charge
Threats against schools in Utah
Threats against schools is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1. 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. § 76-5-107.1.
What is the penalty for threats against schools in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Threat using firearm/weapon or hoax WMD, or intent to disrupt schedule/influence conduct, or intent to intimidate/coerce — Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(a) (threatens use of firearm, weapon, or hoax weapon of mass destruction), (2)(b)(i) (intent to disrupt school schedule or influence/affect conduct), or (2)(b)(iii) (intent to intimidate or coerce students/employees).; 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 (Threat using firearm/weapon or hoax WMD, or intent to disrupt schedule/influence conduct, or intent to intimidate/coerce — Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(a) (threatens use of firearm, weapon, or hoax weapon of mass destruction), (2)(b)(i) (intent to disrupt school schedule or influence/affect conduct), or (2)(b)(iii) (intent to intimidate or coerce students/employees).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Threat with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of school — Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(b)(ii), acting with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of the school or a portion of it, or a facility or vehicle used by the school.; 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 (Threat with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of school — Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(b)(ii), acting with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of the school or a portion of it, or a facility or vehicle used by the school.; 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 (Threat causing emergency response action — Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(c), causing an official or volunteer emergency agency to take action due to risk to the school or general public.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Threat causing emergency response action — Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(c), causing an official or volunteer emergency agency to take action due to risk to the school or general public.; 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 threats against schools classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threat using firearm/weapon or hoax WMD, or intent to disrupt schedule/influence conduct, or intent to intimidate/coerce | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(a) (threatens use of firearm, weapon, or hoax weapon of mass destruction), (2)(b)(i) (intent to disrupt school schedule or influence/affect conduct), or (2)(b)(iii) (intent to intimidate or coerce students/employees). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1(3)(a)(i) |
| Threat with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of school | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(b)(ii), acting with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of the school or a portion of it, or a facility or vehicle used by the school. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1(3)(a)(ii) |
| Threat causing emergency response action | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies when the violation is under Subsection (2)(c), causing an official or volunteer emergency agency to take action due to risk to the school or general public. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1(3)(a)(iii) |
Common questions about threats against schools in Utah
Is threats against schools a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: threats against schools ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1.
Threat using firearm/weapon or hoax WMD, or intent to disrupt schedule/influence conduct, or intent to intimidate/coerce: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1(3)(a)(i)) · Threat with intent to prevent or interrupt occupancy of school: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1(3)(a)(ii)) · Threat causing emergency response action: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1(3)(a)(iii))
What are the penalties for threats against schools in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers threats against schools?
Threats against schools is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.1 (Threats against schools).
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.