Utah criminal charge
Patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking in Utah
Patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313. 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. § 76-5-313.
What is the penalty for patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — knowing violation — Applies when the actor knowingly requests or accepts labor or services knowing the individual's labor is provided as a result of force, fraud, or coercion, in violation of Subsection (2)(c)(i).; 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 (Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — knowing violation — Applies when the actor knowingly requests or accepts labor or services knowing the individual's labor is provided as a result of force, fraud, or coercion, in violation of Subsection (2)(c)(i).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, first offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2)(c)(ii), where the actor is reckless as to whether the individual's labor is provided as a result of force, fraud, or coercion, except as provided for subsequent convictions.; 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 (Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, first offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2)(c)(ii), where the actor is reckless as to whether the individual's labor is provided as a result of force, fraud, or coercion, except as provided for subsequent convictions.; 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 (Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, subsequent offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2)(c)(ii) when the actor has a second or any subsequent conviction for such a violation.; 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 (Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, subsequent offense — Applies to a violation of Subsection (2)(c)(ii) when the actor has a second or any subsequent conviction for such a violation.; 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 patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — knowing violation | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the actor knowingly requests or accepts labor or services knowing the individual's labor is provided as a result of force, fraud, or coercion, in violation of Subsection (2)(c)(i). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313(3)(a) |
| Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, first offense | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2)(c)(ii), where the actor is reckless as to whether the individual's labor is provided as a result of force, fraud, or coercion, except as provided for subsequent convictions. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313(3)(b)(i) |
| Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, subsequent offense | Third Degree Felony | Applies to a violation of Subsection (2)(c)(ii) when the actor has a second or any subsequent conviction for such a violation. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313(3)(b)(ii) |
Common questions about patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking in Utah
Is patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313.
Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — knowing violation: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313(3)(a)) · Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, first offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313(3)(b)(i)) · Patronizing a victim of labor trafficking — reckless violation, subsequent offense: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313(3)(b)(ii))
What are the penalties for patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking in Utah?
Penalties for patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking 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. § 76-3-203 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking?
Patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-313 (Patronizing a victim of human labor trafficking).
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.