Utah legal term
Harmful to minors in Utah Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Utah legislative session
In Utah criminal law, “Harmful to minors” 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 “Harmful to minors” mean in Utah criminal law?
"Harmful to minors" means that quality of any description or representation, in whatsoever form, of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct with an animal, or animal crushing when it: (8)(a)(i) taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in sex of minors; (8)(a)(ii) is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and (8)(a)(iii) taken as a whole, does not have serious value for minors. (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5c-101)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.