Utah criminal charge
Enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity in Utah
Enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417. 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. § 76-5-417.
How is enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-degree-equivalent enticement — first conviction | Second Degree Felony | Applies when the underlying enticed sexual activity would be a first degree felony for the actor and this is the first conviction under Subsection (3)(a). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(a)(i) |
| First-degree-equivalent enticement — second or subsequent conviction | First Degree Felony | Applies when the underlying enticed sexual activity would be a first degree felony for the actor and this is a second or subsequent conviction under Subsection (3)(a), punishable by an indeterminate term of not fewer than three years and up to life. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(a)(ii) |
| Second-degree-equivalent enticement | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the underlying enticed sexual activity would be a second degree felony for the actor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(b) |
| Third-degree-equivalent enticement | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the underlying enticed sexual activity would be a third degree felony for the actor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(c) |
| Class-A-misdemeanor-equivalent enticement | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies when the underlying enticed sexual activity would be a class A misdemeanor for the actor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(d) |
| Class-B-misdemeanor-equivalent enticement | Class C Misdemeanor | Applies when the underlying enticed sexual activity would be a class B misdemeanor for the actor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(e) |
Common questions about enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity in Utah
Is enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417.
First-degree-equivalent enticement — first conviction: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(a)(i)) · First-degree-equivalent enticement — second or subsequent conviction: First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(a)(ii)) · Second-degree-equivalent enticement: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(b)) · Third-degree-equivalent enticement: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(c)) · Class-A-misdemeanor-equivalent enticement: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(d)) · Class-B-misdemeanor-equivalent enticement: Class C Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417(3)(e))
Which Utah statute covers enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity?
Enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-417 (Enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity).
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.