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Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2 — Aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult - Penalties.

Current through 2026 General Session

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

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2

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. § 76-5-111.2Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session
(1)(a) As used in this section, "abuse," "caretaker," "isolation," "neglect," "serious physical injury," and "vulnerable adult" all mean the same as those terms are defined in Section 76-5-111. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) An actor, including a caretaker, commits aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult if the actor, under a circumstance likely to produce death or serious physical injury: (2)(a) causes a vulnerable adult to suffer serious physical injury; (2)(b) having the care or custody of a vulnerable adult, causes or permits the vulnerable adult's person or health to be injured; or (2)(c) causes or permits a vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation in which the vulnerable adult's person or health is endangered. (3)(a) A violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if done intentionally or knowingly. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if done recklessly. (3)(c) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if done with criminal negligence. (4)(a) It does not constitute a defense to a prosecution for a violation of this section that the actor did not know the age of the vulnerable adult. (4)(b) An adult is not considered abused, neglected, or a vulnerable adult for the reason that the adult has chosen to rely solely upon religious, nonmedical forms of healing in lieu of medical care. (5) If an actor, including a caretaker, violates this section by willfully isolating a vulnerable adult, in addition to the penalties under Subsection (3), the court may require that the actor: (5)(a) undergo appropriate counseling as a condition of the sentence; and (5)(b) pay for the costs of the ordered counseling.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2.

Intentional or knowing aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2(3)(a)) · Reckless aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2(3)(b)) · Criminally negligent aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2(3)(c))

Which Utah statute covers aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult?

Aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-111.2 (Aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult - Penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.