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Utah Code § 76-5-103

Aggravated assault

Amended by Chapter 251, 2026 General Session

(1)

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Chokehold" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-102.

(ii) "Targeting a law enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-202.

(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section.

(2) An actor commits aggravated assault if:

(a)

(i) the actor attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to do bodily injury to another;

(ii) the actor makes a threat, accompanied by a show of immediate force or violence, to do bodily injury to another; or

(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

(b) the actor's conduct described in Subsection (2)(a) includes:

(i) the use of:

(A) a dangerous weapon; or

(B) a motor vehicle;

(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:

(A) applying pressure to the neck or throat of an individual; or

(B) obstructing the nose, mouth, or airway of an individual; or

(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.

(b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if:

(i) the act results in serious bodily injury; or

(ii) an act under Subsection (2)(b)(ii) produces a loss of consciousness.

(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:

(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

(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 source: Utah State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Utah statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.