Utah legal term
Extreme emotional distress in Utah Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Utah legislative session
In Utah criminal law, “Extreme emotional distress” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Utah criminal code.
What does “Extreme emotional distress” mean in Utah criminal law?
"Extreme emotional distress" means an overwhelming reaction of anger, shock, or grief that: (1)(a)(i)(A)(I) causes the defendant to be incapable of reflection and restraint; and (1)(a)(i)(A)(II) would cause an objectively reasonable person to be incapable of reflection and restraint. (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-205.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.