Utah criminal charge
Unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft in Utah
Unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703. 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. § 76-9-1703.
What is the penalty for unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Base offense - laser pointer at aircraft — A violation of Subsection (2) not otherwise covered by (3)(b) or (3)(c) is a class B misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Base offense - laser pointer at aircraft — A violation of Subsection (2) not otherwise covered by (3)(b) or (3)(c) is a class B misdemeanor.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Repeat offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the actor has a prior conviction for violating Subsection (2), unless Subsection (3)(c) 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 (Repeat offense — A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the actor has a prior conviction for violating Subsection (2), unless Subsection (3)(c) 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 (Offense causing crash or emergency landing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the actor's conduct causes an aircraft to crash or perform an emergency landing.; 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 (Offense causing crash or emergency landing — A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the actor's conduct causes an aircraft to crash or perform an emergency landing.; 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 unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base offense - laser pointer at aircraft | Class B Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) not otherwise covered by (3)(b) or (3)(c) is a class B misdemeanor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703(3)(a) |
| Repeat offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the actor has a prior conviction for violating Subsection (2), unless Subsection (3)(c) applies. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703(3)(b) |
| Offense causing crash or emergency landing | Third Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the actor's conduct causes an aircraft to crash or perform an emergency landing. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703(3)(c) |
Common questions about unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft in Utah
Is unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703.
Base offense - laser pointer at aircraft: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703(3)(a)) · Repeat offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703(3)(b)) · Offense causing crash or emergency landing: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703(3)(c))
What are the penalties for unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft in Utah?
Penalties for unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B 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 unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft?
Unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1703 (Unlawful use of a laser pointer against an aircraft).
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.