Utah criminal charge
Unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack in Utah
Unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703. 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. § 76-6-703.
What is the penalty for unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Class B misdemeanor — low value or non-confidential information — The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is less than $500, or the information obtained is not confidential.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Class B misdemeanor — low value or non-confidential information — The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is less than $500, or the information obtained is not confidential.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Class A misdemeanor — $500 to $1,500 — The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is $500 or more but less 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 (Class A misdemeanor — $500 to $1,500 — The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is $500 or more but less 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 5 years (Third degree felony — $1,500 to $5,000 or aggravating factors — The loss/value is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000, or the property/benefit is a license or entitlement, or damage is to another's license or entitlement, or the information obtained is confidential or identifying information, or the actor breached a security system to gain access.; 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 (Third degree felony — $1,500 to $5,000 or aggravating factors — The loss/value is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000, or the property/benefit is a license or entitlement, or damage is to another's license or entitlement, or the information obtained is confidential or identifying information, or the actor breached a security system to gain access.; 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 (Second degree felony — $5,000 or more — The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is $5,000 or more.; 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 (Second degree felony — $5,000 or more — The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is $5,000 or more.; 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 unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B misdemeanor — low value or non-confidential information | Class B Misdemeanor | The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is less than $500, or the information obtained is not confidential. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(a) |
| Class A misdemeanor — $500 to $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is $500 or more but less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(b) |
| Third degree felony — $1,500 to $5,000 or aggravating factors | Third Degree Felony | The loss/value is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000, or the property/benefit is a license or entitlement, or damage is to another's license or entitlement, or the information obtained is confidential or identifying information, or the actor breached a security system to gain access. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(c) |
| Second degree felony — $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | The economic loss or other loss or damage caused, or the value of the money, property, or benefit obtained or sought, is $5,000 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(d) |
Common questions about unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack in Utah
Is unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.
Class B misdemeanor — low value or non-confidential information: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(a)) · Class A misdemeanor — $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(b)) · Third degree felony — $1,500 to $5,000 or aggravating factors: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(c)) · Second degree felony — $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703(3)(d))
What are the penalties for unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack in Utah?
Penalties for unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack 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. § 76-3-204 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack?
Unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703 (Unlawful computer technology access or action or denial of service attack).
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.