Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102 — Assault.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 1: Assault and Related Offenses, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102
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.
(1)(a) As used in this section, "chokehold" means a restraining hold in which one individual encircles the neck of another individual in a viselike grip using an arm. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits assault if the actor: (2)(a) attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to inflict bodily injury on an individual; or (2)(b) commits an act, with unlawful force or violence, that: (2)(b)(i) causes bodily injury to an individual; or (2)(b)(ii) creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to an individual. (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if: (3)(b)(i) the actor causes substantial bodily injury to an individual; or (3)(b)(ii) the individual is pregnant and the actor has knowledge of the pregnancy. (4) The fact that the actor caused serious bodily injury to an individual is not a defense to a violation of this section. (5) This section does not apply to an actor's use of a chokehold on another individual if: (5)(a) the chokehold is done as part of training for, or participating in, a practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice, including martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts; and (5)(b) the other individual is also training for, or participating in, the same practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is assault a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: assault ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.
Assault - base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102(3)(a)) · Assault causing substantial bodily injury or against known pregnant individual: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102(3)(b))
Which Utah statute covers assault?
Assault is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102 (Assault).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.