Utah criminal charge
Lewdness in Utah
Lewdness is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419. 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. § 76-5-419.
What is the penalty for lewdness in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Lewdness - base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor unless one of the enhancing factors in Subsection (3)(b) applies.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Lewdness - base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor unless one of the enhancing factors in Subsection (3)(b) applies.; 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 (Lewdness - enhanced by sex offender status, prior convictions, or aggravating conduct — A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if, at the time of the violation, the actor is a registered sex offender, has prior qualifying convictions, also commits certain related offenses, or is in a sex-designated privacy space not designated for the actor's sex.; 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 (Lewdness - enhanced by sex offender status, prior convictions, or aggravating conduct — A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if, at the time of the violation, the actor is a registered sex offender, has prior qualifying convictions, also commits certain related offenses, or is in a sex-designated privacy space not designated for the actor's sex.; 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 lewdness classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewdness - base offense | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor unless one of the enhancing factors in Subsection (3)(b) applies. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419(3)(a) |
| Lewdness - enhanced by sex offender status, prior convictions, or aggravating conduct | Third Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if, at the time of the violation, the actor is a registered sex offender, has prior qualifying convictions, also commits certain related offenses, or is in a sex-designated privacy space not designated for the actor's sex. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419(3)(b) |
Common questions about lewdness in Utah
Is lewdness a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: lewdness ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419.
Lewdness - base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419(3)(a)) · Lewdness - enhanced by sex offender status, prior convictions, or aggravating conduct: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419(3)(b))
What are the penalties for lewdness in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers lewdness?
Lewdness is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-419 (Lewdness).
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.