Utah criminal charge
Fraudulent handling of recordable writings in Utah
Fraudulent handling of recordable writings is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6. 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. § 76-6-503.6.
What is the penalty for fraudulent handling of recordable writings in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — first offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) except when the actor has a prior conviction under this section or Section 76-6-503.5.; 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 (Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — first offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) except when the actor has a prior conviction under this section or Section 76-6-503.5.; 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 (Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — subsequent offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) when the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or Section 76-6-503.5.; 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 (Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — subsequent offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) when the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or Section 76-6-503.5.; 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 fraudulent handling of recordable writings classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — first offense | Third Degree Felony | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) except when the actor has a prior conviction under this section or Section 76-6-503.5. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6(3)(a) |
| Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — subsequent offense | Second Degree Felony | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2) when the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or Section 76-6-503.5. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6(3)(b) |
Common questions about fraudulent handling of recordable writings in Utah
Is fraudulent handling of recordable writings a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: fraudulent handling of recordable writings ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6.
Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — first offense: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6(3)(a)) · Fraudulent handling of recordable writings — subsequent offense: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6(3)(b))
What are the penalties for fraudulent handling of recordable writings in Utah?
Penalties for fraudulent handling of recordable writings 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 fraudulent handling of recordable writings?
Fraudulent handling of recordable writings is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-503.6 (Fraudulent handling of recordable writings).
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.