Utah criminal charge
Bribery or offering a bribe in Utah
Bribery or offering a bribe is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103. 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. § 76-8-103.
What is the penalty for bribery or offering a bribe in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Bribery ($1,000 or more) — Applies when the value of the benefit involved in the bribery offense is $1,000 or more.; 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 $10,000 (Bribery ($1,000 or more) — Applies when the value of the benefit involved in the bribery offense is $1,000 or more.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Bribery (less than $1,000) — Applies when the value of the benefit involved in the bribery offense is less than $1,000.; 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 (Bribery (less than $1,000) — Applies when the value of the benefit involved in the bribery offense is less than $1,000.; 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 bribery or offering a bribe classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bribery ($1,000 or more) | Second Degree Felony | Applies when the value of the benefit involved in the bribery offense is $1,000 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103(3)(a) |
| Bribery (less than $1,000) | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the value of the benefit involved in the bribery offense is less than $1,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103(3)(b) |
Common questions about bribery or offering a bribe in Utah
Is bribery or offering a bribe a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: bribery or offering a bribe ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103.
Bribery ($1,000 or more): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103(3)(a)) · Bribery (less than $1,000): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103(3)(b))
What are the penalties for bribery or offering a bribe in Utah?
Penalties for bribery or offering a bribe in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Third Degree Felony up to a Second Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers bribery or offering a bribe?
Bribery or offering a bribe is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-103 (Bribery or offering a bribe).
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.