Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103 — Aggravated assault.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 1: Assault and Related Offenses, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Aggravated assault

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1)(a) As used in this section: (1)(a)(i) "Chokehold" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-102. (1)(a)(ii) "Targeting a law enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-202. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits aggravated assault if: (2)(a)(i) the actor attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to do bodily injury to another; (2)(a)(ii) the actor makes a threat, accompanied by a show of immediate force or violence, to do bodily injury to another; or (2)(a)(iii) the actor commits an act, committed with unlawful force or violence, that causes bodily injury to another or creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another; and (2)(b) the actor's conduct described in Subsection (2)(a) includes: (2)(b)(i) the use of: (2)(b)(i)(A) a dangerous weapon; or (2)(b)(i)(B) a motor vehicle; (2)(b)(ii) any act that intentionally or knowingly impedes the breathing or the circulation of blood of another individual by the actor's use of unlawful force or violence by: (2)(b)(ii)(A) applying pressure to the neck or throat of an individual; or (2)(b)(ii)(B) obstructing the nose, mouth, or airway of an individual; or (2)(b)(iii) other means or force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury. (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) or (c), a violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony. (3)(b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if: (3)(b)(i) the act results in serious bodily injury; or (3)(b)(ii) an act under Subsection (2)(b)(ii) produces a loss of consciousness. (3)(c) A violation of Subsection (2) is a first degree felony if the conduct constitutes targeting a law enforcement officer and results in serious bodily injury. (4) This section does not apply to an actor's use of a chokehold on another individual if: (4)(a) the chokehold is done as part of training for, or participating in, a practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice, including martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts; and (4)(b) the other individual is also training for, or participating in, the same practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is aggravated assault a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: aggravated assault ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103.

Aggravated assault — base offense: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(a)) · Aggravated assault — serious bodily injury: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(b)) · Aggravated assault — loss of consciousness from choking/blocking airway: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(b)) · Aggravated assault — targeting a law enforcement officer with serious bodily injury: First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103(3)(c))

Which Utah statute covers aggravated assault?

Aggravated assault is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-103 (Aggravated assault).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.