Utah criminal charge
Metal or catalytic converter theft in Utah
Current through 2026 Utah legislative session
Metal or catalytic converter theft is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415. 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. § 76-6-415.
What is the penalty for metal or catalytic converter theft in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Value $5,000 or more — The value of the metal is or 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 (Value $5,000 or more — The value of the metal is or 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 | 1 years to 15 years (Theft from person — The metal is stolen from the person of another.; 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 (Theft from person — The metal is stolen from the person of another.; 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 (Value $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the property is or exceeds $1,500 but is 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 property is or exceeds $1,500 but is 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 | up to 5 years (Catalytic converter or large suspect metal item — The property is a catalytic converter, or is 25 pounds or more of a suspect metal item valued under $5,000 made of or containing aluminum or copper and not a lead battery.; 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 (Catalytic converter or large suspect metal item — The property is a catalytic converter, or is 25 pounds or more of a suspect metal item valued under $5,000 made of or containing aluminum or copper and not a lead battery.; 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 (Value $500+ with two prior qualifying convictions (one class A misdemeanor) — The value of the metal is or exceeds $500 and the actor has twice before been convicted of specified theft/fraud-related offenses within 10 years, with at least one prior conviction being a class A misdemeanor.; 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 $500+ with two prior qualifying convictions (one class A misdemeanor) — The value of the metal is or exceeds $500 and the actor has twice before been convicted of specified theft/fraud-related offenses within 10 years, with at least one prior conviction being a class A misdemeanor.; 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 (Value $500 to $1,500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property — The value of the metal is $500 to $1,500, the theft occurs on property where the actor committed theft within the past five years, and the actor received written notice barring entry to that property.; 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 $500 to $1,500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property — The value of the metal is $500 to $1,500, the theft occurs on property where the actor committed theft within the past five years, and the actor received written notice barring entry to that property.; 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 (Prior felony conviction for related offense — The actor has previously been convicted of a felony violation of specified theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud offenses within 10 years before the current conviction or offense.; 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 (Prior felony conviction for related offense — The actor has previously been convicted of a felony violation of specified theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud offenses within 10 years before the current conviction or offense.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Value $500 to $1,500 — The value of the metal stolen is or exceeds $500 but is 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 metal stolen is or exceeds $500 but is 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 | Value under $500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property — The value of the metal is less than $500, the theft occurs on property where the actor committed theft within the past five years, and the actor received written notice barring entry to that property.; 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 under $500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property — The value of the metal is less than $500, the theft occurs on property where the actor committed theft within the past five years, and the actor received written notice barring entry to that property.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Two prior qualifying convictions — The actor has twice before been convicted of specified theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud-related offenses within 10 years before the current conviction or offense.; 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 (Two prior qualifying convictions — The actor has twice before been convicted of specified theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud-related offenses within 10 years before the current conviction or offense.; 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 (Value under $500 — The value of the metal stolen is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as a class A misdemeanor under Subsection (3)(c).) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Value under $500 — The value of the metal stolen is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as a class A misdemeanor under Subsection (3)(c).; 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 metal or catalytic converter theft classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | The value of the metal is or exceeds $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(a) |
| Theft from person | Second Degree Felony | The metal is stolen from the person of another. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(a) |
| Value $1,500 to $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | The value of the property is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b) |
| Catalytic converter or large suspect metal item | Third Degree Felony | The property is a catalytic converter, or is 25 pounds or more of a suspect metal item valued under $5,000 made of or containing aluminum or copper and not a lead battery. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b) |
| Value $500+ with two prior qualifying convictions (one class A misdemeanor) | Third Degree Felony | The value of the metal is or exceeds $500 and the actor has twice before been convicted of specified theft/fraud-related offenses within 10 years, with at least one prior conviction being a class A misdemeanor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b) |
| Value $500 to $1,500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property | Third Degree Felony | The value of the metal is $500 to $1,500, the theft occurs on property where the actor committed theft within the past five years, and the actor received written notice barring entry to that property. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b) |
| Prior felony conviction for related offense | Third Degree Felony | The actor has previously been convicted of a felony violation of specified theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud offenses within 10 years before the current conviction or offense. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b) |
| Value $500 to $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the metal stolen is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(c) |
| Value under $500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the metal is less than $500, the theft occurs on property where the actor committed theft within the past five years, and the actor received written notice barring entry to that property. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(c) |
| Two prior qualifying convictions | Class A Misdemeanor | The actor has twice before been convicted of specified theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud-related offenses within 10 years before the current conviction or offense. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(c) |
| Value under $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the metal stolen is less than $500 and the theft does not qualify as a class A misdemeanor under Subsection (3)(c). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(d) |
Common questions about metal or catalytic converter theft in Utah
Is metal or catalytic converter theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: metal or catalytic converter theft ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415.
Value $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(a)) · Theft from person: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(a)) · Value $1,500 to $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b)) · Catalytic converter or large suspect metal item: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b)) · Value $500+ with two prior qualifying convictions (one class A misdemeanor): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b)) · Value $500 to $1,500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b)) · Prior felony conviction for related offense: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(b)) · Value $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(c)) · Value under $500 with prior trespass notice after theft on property: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(c)) · Two prior qualifying convictions: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(c)) · Value under $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415(3)(d))
What are the penalties for metal or catalytic converter theft in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers metal or catalytic converter theft?
Metal or catalytic converter theft is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-415 (Metal or catalytic converter theft).
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.