Utah criminal charge
Unlawful use of technology to defraud in Utah
Unlawful use of technology to defraud is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3. 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. § 76-6-703.3.
What is the penalty for unlawful use of technology to defraud in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Value less than $500 — The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Value less than $500 — The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Value $500 to $1,500 — The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500.; 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 (Value $500 to $1,500 — The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500.; 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 (Value $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000.; 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 (Value $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000.; 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 technology to defraud classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value less than $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3(3)(a) |
| Value $500 to $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3(3)(b) |
| Value $1,500 to $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | The value of the money, property, service, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3(3)(c) |
Common questions about unlawful use of technology to defraud in Utah
Is unlawful use of technology to defraud a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful use of technology to defraud ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3.
Value less than $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3(3)(a)) · Value $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3(3)(b)) · Value $1,500 to $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3(3)(c))
What are the penalties for unlawful use of technology to defraud in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers unlawful use of technology to defraud?
Unlawful use of technology to defraud is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-703.3 (Unlawful use of technology to defraud).
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.