Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105 — Causing a catastrophe - Penalties.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 1: Property Destruction, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105

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. § 76-6-105Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session
(1) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-6-101 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits causing a catastrophe if the actor causes widespread injury or damage to persons or property by: (2)(a) use of a weapon of mass destruction as defined in Section 76-15-301; or (2)(b) explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, or other harmful or destructive force or substance that is not a weapon of mass destruction. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is: (3)(a) a first degree felony if the actor causes the catastrophe knowingly and by the use of a weapon of mass destruction; (3)(b) a second degree felony if the actor causes the catastrophe knowingly and by a means other than a weapon of mass destruction; and (3)(c) a class A misdemeanor if the actor causes the catastrophe recklessly. (4) In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, a court shall order an actor convicted of any violation of this section to reimburse any federal, state, or local unit of government, or any private business, organization, individual, or entity for all expenses incurred in responding to the violation, unless the court states on the record the reasons why the reimbursement would be inappropriate.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is causing a catastrophe a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: causing a catastrophe ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105.

Causing a catastrophe — knowingly, with weapon of mass destruction: First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105(3)(a)) · Causing a catastrophe — knowingly, other means: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105(3)(b)) · Causing a catastrophe — reckless: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105(3)(c))

Which Utah statute covers causing a catastrophe?

Causing a catastrophe is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-105 (Causing a catastrophe - Penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.