Utah criminal charge
Defacement by graffiti defined in Utah
Defacement by graffiti defined is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107. 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. § 76-6-107.
What is the penalty for defacement by graffiti defined in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Defacement by graffiti (damage over $5,000) — Applies when the damage caused by the graffiti exceeds $5,000.; 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 $10,000 (Defacement by graffiti (damage over $5,000) — Applies when the damage caused by the graffiti exceeds $5,000.; 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 (Defacement by graffiti ($1,000–$5,000) — Applies when the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $1,000 but less than or equal to $5,000.; 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 (Defacement by graffiti ($1,000–$5,000) — Applies when the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $1,000 but less than or equal to $5,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Defacement by graffiti ($300–$1,000) — Applies when the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $300 but less than $1,000.; 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 (Defacement by graffiti ($300–$1,000) — Applies when the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $300 but less than $1,000.; 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 (Defacement by graffiti (under $300) — Applies when the damage caused is less than $300.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Defacement by graffiti (under $300) — Applies when the damage caused is less than $300.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is defacement by graffiti defined classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defacement by graffiti (damage over $5,000) | Second Degree Felony | Applies when the damage caused by the graffiti exceeds $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(a) |
| Defacement by graffiti ($1,000–$5,000) | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $1,000 but less than or equal to $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(b) |
| Defacement by graffiti ($300–$1,000) | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $300 but less than $1,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(c) |
| Defacement by graffiti (under $300) | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies when the damage caused is less than $300. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(d) |
Common questions about defacement by graffiti defined in Utah
Is defacement by graffiti defined a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: defacement by graffiti defined ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.
Defacement by graffiti (damage over $5,000): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(a)) · Defacement by graffiti ($1,000–$5,000): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(b)) · Defacement by graffiti ($300–$1,000): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(c)) · Defacement by graffiti (under $300): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(d))
What are the penalties for defacement by graffiti defined in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers defacement by graffiti defined?
Defacement by graffiti defined is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107 (Defacement by graffiti defined - Penalties - Removal costs - Reimbursement liability - Victim liability).
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.