Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.6 — Prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 1: Breaches of the Peace and Related Offenses, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.6
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: (1)(a)(i) "Emergency" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-105.5. (1)(a)(ii) "Party line" means a subscriber's line or telephone circuit: (1)(a)(ii)(A) that consists of two or more connected main telephone stations; and (1)(a)(ii)(B) where each telephone station has a distinctive ring or telephone number. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency if the actor: (2)(a) intentionally refuses to yield or surrender the use of a party line or a public pay telephone to another individual upon being informed that the party line or public pay telephone is needed to report a fire or summon police, medical, or other aid in case of an emergency; or (2)(b) asks for or requests the use of a party line or a public pay telephone on the pretext that an emergency exists, knowing that no emergency exists. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor. (4) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply if the actor refuses to yield or surrender the use of the party line or public pay telephone because the actor is using the party line or public pay telephone to report an emergency. (5)(a) In addition to another penalty authorized by law, a court shall order an actor convicted of a violation of this section to reimburse a federal, state, or local unit of government, or a private business, organization, individual, or entity for all expenses and losses incurred in responding to the violation. (5)(b) The court may order that the actor pay less than the full amount of the costs described in Subsection (5)(a) only if the court states on the record the reasons why the full reimbursement would be inappropriate.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
Prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency is a Class C Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.6.
Which Utah statute covers prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency?
Prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.6 (Prohibited use of a party line or public pay telephone in an emergency).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.