Utah criminal charge
Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury in Utah
Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1. 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. § 76-5-102.1.
What is the penalty for negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor unless one of the enhancement provisions applies.; 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 (Base offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor unless one of the enhancement provisions 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 (Enhancement — two or more prior DUI-related convictions within 10 years — The violation is a third degree felony if the actor has two or more driving under the influence related convictions under Subsection 41-6a-501(2)(a), each within 10 years of 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 (Enhancement — two or more prior DUI-related convictions within 10 years — The violation is a third degree felony if the actor has two or more driving under the influence related convictions under Subsection 41-6a-501(2)(a), each within 10 years of 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 | up to 5 years (Enhancement — prior felony DUI conviction — The violation is a third degree felony if the current conviction occurs at any time after a felony conviction as described in Subsection 41-6a-501(2), including one later reduced under Section 76-3-402.; 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 (Enhancement — prior felony DUI conviction — The violation is a third degree felony if the current conviction occurs at any time after a felony conviction as described in Subsection 41-6a-501(2), including one later reduced under Section 76-3-402.; 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 (Enhancement — serious bodily injury — The violation is a third degree felony if the bodily injury caused is serious bodily injury.; 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 (Enhancement — serious bodily injury — The violation is a third degree felony if the bodily injury caused is serious bodily injury.; 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 negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor unless one of the enhancement provisions applies. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(i) |
| Enhancement — two or more prior DUI-related convictions within 10 years | Third Degree Felony | The violation is a third degree felony if the actor has two or more driving under the influence related convictions under Subsection 41-6a-501(2)(a), each within 10 years of the current conviction or offense. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(ii) |
| Enhancement — prior felony DUI conviction | Third Degree Felony | The violation is a third degree felony if the current conviction occurs at any time after a felony conviction as described in Subsection 41-6a-501(2), including one later reduced under Section 76-3-402. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(iii) |
| Enhancement — serious bodily injury | Third Degree Felony | The violation is a third degree felony if the bodily injury caused is serious bodily injury. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(iv) |
Common questions about negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury in Utah
Is negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1.
Base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(i)) · Enhancement — two or more prior DUI-related convictions within 10 years: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(ii)) · Enhancement — prior felony DUI conviction: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(iii)) · Enhancement — serious bodily injury: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1(3)(a)(iv))
What are the penalties for negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury in Utah?
Penalties for negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class A Misdemeanor up to a Third 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 negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury?
Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-102.1 (Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury).
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.