Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1704 — Unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 17: Unlawful Use of a Laser Pointer, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1704
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) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-9-1701 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer if the actor directs a beam of laser light from a laser pointer at an individual who the actor knows or has reason to know is a law enforcement officer. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor. (4) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under Subsection (2) that: (4)(a) the law enforcement officer was: (4)(a)(i) not in uniform; (4)(a)(ii) not traveling in a vehicle identified as a law enforcement vehicle; and (4)(a)(iii) not otherwise engaged in an activity that would give the actor reason to know the law enforcement officer to be a law enforcement officer; and (4)(b) the law enforcement officer was not otherwise known by the actor to be a law enforcement officer. (5) If the violation of this section constitutes an offense subject to a greater penalty under another provision of this title than is provided under this section, this section does not prohibit the prosecution and sentencing for the offense subject to a greater penalty.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
Unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer is a Class C Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1704.
Which Utah statute covers unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer?
Unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1704 (Unlawful use of a laser pointer against a law enforcement officer).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.