Utah criminal charge
Personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Utah
Personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3. 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. § 76-5-111.3.
What is the penalty for personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Personal dignity exploitation - intentional or knowing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done intentionally or knowingly.; 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 (Personal dignity exploitation - intentional or knowing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done intentionally or knowingly.; 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 (Personal dignity exploitation - reckless — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if done recklessly.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Personal dignity exploitation - reckless — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if done recklessly.; 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 personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal dignity exploitation - intentional or knowing | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done intentionally or knowingly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3(3)(a)(i) |
| Personal dignity exploitation - reckless | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if done recklessly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3(3)(a)(ii) |
Common questions about personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Utah
Is personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3.
Personal dignity exploitation - intentional or knowing: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3(3)(a)(i)) · Personal dignity exploitation - reckless: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3(3)(a)(ii))
What are the penalties for personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Utah?
Penalties for personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult 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 personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult?
Personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.3 (Personal dignity exploitation of a vulnerable adult - Penalties).
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.