Utah criminal charge
Abuse of a vulnerable adult in Utah
Abuse of a vulnerable adult is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.
What is the penalty for abuse of a vulnerable adult in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Abuse of a vulnerable adult — intentional or knowing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done intentionally or knowingly.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — intentional or knowing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done intentionally or knowingly.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — reckless — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if done recklessly.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — reckless — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if done recklessly.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — criminal negligence — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor if done with criminal negligence.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $750 (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — criminal negligence — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor if done with criminal negligence.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — based on isolation — Notwithstanding the mental-state-based classifications, a violation of Subsection (2) that is based on isolation of a vulnerable adult is a third degree felony.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Abuse of a vulnerable adult — based on isolation — Notwithstanding the mental-state-based classifications, a violation of Subsection (2) that is based on isolation of a vulnerable adult is a third degree felony.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is abuse of a vulnerable adult classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abuse of a vulnerable adult — intentional or knowing | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done intentionally or knowingly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(a)(i) |
| Abuse of a vulnerable adult — reckless | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if done recklessly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(a)(ii) |
| Abuse of a vulnerable adult — criminal negligence | Class C Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor if done with criminal negligence. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(a)(iii) |
| Abuse of a vulnerable adult — based on isolation | Third Degree Felony | Notwithstanding the mental-state-based classifications, a violation of Subsection (2) that is based on isolation of a vulnerable adult is a third degree felony. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(b) |
Common questions about abuse of a vulnerable adult in Utah
Is abuse of a vulnerable adult a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: abuse of a vulnerable adult ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.
Abuse of a vulnerable adult — intentional or knowing: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(a)(i)) · Abuse of a vulnerable adult — reckless: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(a)(ii)) · Abuse of a vulnerable adult — criminal negligence: Class C Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(a)(iii)) · Abuse of a vulnerable adult — based on isolation: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111(3)(b))
What are the penalties for abuse of a vulnerable adult in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers abuse of a vulnerable adult?
Abuse of a vulnerable adult is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111 (Abuse of a vulnerable adult - Penalties).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.