Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-405 — Theft by deception.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 4: Theft, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-405
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.
(1)(a) As used in this section, "puffing" means an exaggerated commendation of wares or worth in a communication addressed to an individual, group, or the public. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2)(a) An actor commits theft by deception if the actor obtains or exercises control over property of another person: (2)(a)(i) by deception; and (2)(a)(ii) with a purpose to deprive the other person of property. (2)(b) The deception described in Subsection (2)(a)(i) and the deprivation described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii) may occur at separate times. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is: (3)(a) a second degree felony if the: (3)(a)(i) value of the property is or exceeds $5,000; or (3)(a)(ii) property stolen is a firearm or an operable motor vehicle; (3)(b) a third degree felony if: (3)(b)(i) the value of the property is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000; (3)(b)(ii) the value of the property is or exceeds $500 and the actor has been twice before convicted of any of the following offenses, if each prior offense was committed within 10 years before the date of the current conviction or the date of the offense upon which the current conviction is based and at least one of those convictions is for a class A misdemeanor: (3)(b)(ii)(A) any theft, any robbery, or any burglary with intent to commit theft; (3)(b)(ii)(B) any offense under Part 5, Fraud; (3)(b)(ii)(C) any attempt to commit any offense under Subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A) or (B); or (3)(b)(ii)(D) any offense in another jurisdiction, including a state, federal, or military court, that is substantially equivalent to an offense under Subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A), (B), or (C); (3)(b)(iii)(A) the value of property is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500; (3)(b)(iii)(B) the theft occurs on a property where the offender has committed any theft within the past five years; and (3)(b)(iii)(C) the offender has received written notice from the merchant prohibiting the offender from entering the property pursuant to Subsection 78B-3-108(4); or (3)(b)(iv) the actor has been previously convicted of a felony violation of any of the offenses listed in Subsections (3)(b)(ii)(A) through (3)(b)(ii)(D), if the prior offense was committed within 10 years before the date of the current conviction or the date of the offense upon which the current conviction is based; (3)(c) a class A misdemeanor if: (3)(c)(i) the value of the property stolen is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500; (3)(c)(ii)(A) the value of property is less than $500; (3)(c)(ii)(B) the theft occurs on a property where the offender has committed any theft within the past five years; and (3)(c)(ii)(C) the offender has received written notice from the merchant prohibiting the offender from entering the property pursuant to Subsection 78B-3-108(4); or (3)(c)(iii) the actor has been twice before convicted of any of the offenses listed in Subsections (3)(b)(ii)(A) through (3)(b)(ii)(D), if each prior offense was committed within 10 years before the date of the current conviction or the date of the offense upon which the current conviction is based; or (3)(d) a class B misdemeanor if the value of the property stolen is less than $500 and the theft is not an offense under Subsection (3)(c). (4) Theft by deception does not occur when there is only: (4)(a) falsity as to matters having no pecuniary significance; or (4)(b) puffing by statements unlikely to deceive an ordinary person in the group addressed.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is theft by deception a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: theft by deception ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-405.
Theft by deception (property value ≥ $5,000, or firearm/motor vehicle): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-405(3)(a)) · Theft by deception (<$500, no aggravating factors): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-405(3)(d))
Which Utah statute covers theft by deception?
Theft by deception is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-405 (Theft by deception).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.