Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16 — Offenses committed against animal enterprises - Definitions - Enhanced penalties.

Current through 2026 General Session

Criminal charges under this statute

Offenses committed against animal enterprises

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1) As used in this section: (1)(a) "Animal enterprise" means a commercial or academic enterprise that: (1)(a)(i) uses animals for food or fiber production; (1)(a)(ii) is an agricultural operation, including a facility for the production of crops or livestock, or livestock products; (1)(a)(iii) operates a zoo, aquarium, circus, rodeo, or lawful competitive animal event; or (1)(a)(iv) any fair or similar event intended to advance agricultural arts and sciences. (1)(b) "Livestock" means cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, mules, poultry, domesticated elk as defined in Section 4-39-102, or any other domestic animal or domestic furbearer raised or kept for profit. (1)(c) "Property" includes any buildings, vehicles, animals, data, records, stables, livestock handling facilities, livestock watering troughs or other watering facilities, and fencing or other forms of enclosure. (2) A person who commits any criminal offense with the intent to halt, impede, obstruct, or interfere with the lawful operation of an animal enterprise or to damage, take, or cause the loss of any property owned by, used by, or in the possession of a lawful animal enterprise, is subject to an enhanced penalty under Subsection (4). (3) The prosecuting attorney, or grand jury if an indictment is returned, shall cause to be subscribed upon the information or indictment notice that the defendant is subject to the enhanced penalties provided under this section. (4) If the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed any criminal offense with the intent to halt, impede, obstruct, or interfere with the lawful operation of an animal enterprise or to damage, take, or cause the loss of any property owned by, used by, or in the possession of a lawful animal enterprise, the penalties are enhanced as provided in this Subsection (4): (4)(a) a class C misdemeanor is a class B misdemeanor, with a mandatory fine of not less than $1,000, which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose; (4)(b) a class B misdemeanor is a class A misdemeanor, with a fine of not less than $2,500, which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose; (4)(c) a class A misdemeanor is a third degree felony, with a fine of not less than $5,000, which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose; (4)(d) a third degree felony is a second degree felony, with a fine of not less than $7,500, which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose; and (4)(e) a second degree felony is subject to a fine of not less than $10,000, which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose. (5) This section does not apply to action protected by the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., or the Federal Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is offenses committed against animal enterprises a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: offenses committed against animal enterprises ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16.

Class C misdemeanor enhanced to class B misdemeanor: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16(4)(a)) · Class B misdemeanor enhanced to class A misdemeanor: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16(4)(b)) · Class A misdemeanor enhanced to third degree felony: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16(4)(c)) · Third degree felony enhanced to second degree felony: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16(4)(d)) · Second degree felony penalty enhancement: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16(4)(e))

Which Utah statute covers offenses committed against animal enterprises?

Offenses committed against animal enterprises is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.16 (Offenses committed against animal enterprises - Definitions - Enhanced penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.