Utah criminal charge
Penalty for hate crimes in Utah
Penalty for hate crimes is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3. 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. § 76-3-203.3.
What is the penalty for penalty for hate crimes in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Class C misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class B misdemeanor — A primary offense that would otherwise be a class C misdemeanor is elevated to a class B misdemeanor when committed with intent to intimidate or terrorize or with reason to believe the action would intimidate or terrorize another person.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Class C misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class B misdemeanor — A primary offense that would otherwise be a class C misdemeanor is elevated to a class B misdemeanor when committed with intent to intimidate or terrorize or with reason to believe the action would intimidate or terrorize another person.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Class B misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class A misdemeanor — A primary offense that would otherwise be a class B misdemeanor is elevated to a class A misdemeanor when committed with intent to intimidate or terrorize or with reason to believe the action would intimidate or terrorize another person.; 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 (Class B misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class A misdemeanor — A primary offense that would otherwise be a class B misdemeanor is elevated to a class A misdemeanor when committed with intent to intimidate or terrorize or with reason to believe the action would intimidate or terrorize another person.; 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 penalty for hate crimes classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class C misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class B misdemeanor | Class B Misdemeanor | A primary offense that would otherwise be a class C misdemeanor is elevated to a class B misdemeanor when committed with intent to intimidate or terrorize or with reason to believe the action would intimidate or terrorize another person. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3(2)(b)(i) |
| Class B misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class A misdemeanor | Class A Misdemeanor | A primary offense that would otherwise be a class B misdemeanor is elevated to a class A misdemeanor when committed with intent to intimidate or terrorize or with reason to believe the action would intimidate or terrorize another person. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3(2)(b)(ii) |
Common questions about penalty for hate crimes in Utah
Is penalty for hate crimes a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: penalty for hate crimes ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3.
Class C misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class B misdemeanor: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3(2)(b)(i)) · Class B misdemeanor primary offense enhanced to class A misdemeanor: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3(2)(b)(ii))
What are the penalties for penalty for hate crimes in Utah?
Penalties for penalty for hate crimes in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Class A Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers penalty for hate crimes?
Penalty for hate crimes is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.3 (Penalty for hate crimes - Civil rights violation).
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.