Utah criminal charge
False statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability in Utah
False statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302. 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. § 76-8-1302.
What is the penalty for false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Value less than $500 — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Value less than $500 — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Value $500 to $1,500 — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $500 or more but less than $1,500.; 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 (Value $500 to $1,500 — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $500 or more but less than $1,500.; 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 (Value $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $1,500 or more but less than $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 (Value $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $1,500 or more but less than $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 | 1 years to 15 years (Value $5,000 or more — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $5,000 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 (Value $5,000 or more — The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $5,000 or more.; 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 false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value less than $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(a) |
| Value $500 to $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $500 or more but less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(b) |
| Value $1,500 to $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(c) |
| Value $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | The value of the money obtained or sought to be obtained is $5,000 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(d) |
Common questions about false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability in Utah
Is false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302.
Value less than $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(a)) · Value $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(b)) · Value $1,500 to $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(c)) · Value $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302(3)(d))
What are the penalties for false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability in Utah?
Penalties for false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Second Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers false statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability?
False statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or liability is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-1302 (False statement to prevent or reduce unemployment compensation or 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.