Utah legal term
Deadly force in Utah Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Utah legislative session
In Utah criminal law, “Deadly force” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Utah criminal code.
What does “Deadly force” mean in Utah criminal law?
"Deadly force" means force that creates or is likely to create, or that the individual using the force intends to create, a substantial likelihood of death or serious bodily injury to an individual. (Utah Code Ann. § 76-2-404)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.