Utah criminal charge
Wrongful liens in Utah
Wrongful liens is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5. 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. § 76-6-503.5.
What is the penalty for wrongful liens in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Wrongful lien - first offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony unless the actor has a prior conviction under this section or Section 76-6-503.6.; 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 (Wrongful lien - first offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony unless the actor has a prior conviction under this section or Section 76-6-503.6.; 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 (Wrongful lien - subsequent offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or Section 76-6-503.6.; 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 (Wrongful lien - subsequent offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or Section 76-6-503.6.; 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 wrongful liens classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrongful lien - first offense | Third Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony unless the actor has a prior conviction under this section or Section 76-6-503.6. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5(3)(a) |
| Wrongful lien - subsequent offense | Second Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or Section 76-6-503.6. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5(3)(b) |
Common questions about wrongful liens in Utah
Is wrongful liens a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: wrongful liens ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5.
Wrongful lien - first offense: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5(3)(a)) · Wrongful lien - subsequent offense: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5(3)(b))
What are the penalties for wrongful liens in Utah?
Penalties for wrongful liens in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Third Degree Felony up to a Second Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers wrongful liens?
Wrongful liens is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.5 (Wrongful liens).
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.