Education is a big deal in Utah. In the fall semester of 2024, the amount of college students throughout the state was just over 207,000. That’s close to the population of Salt Lake City. Of course, some of those people will commit a crime at some point in their college career.
Here are some of the most common crimes college students commit in Utah.
It might surprise you that marijuana isn’t completely illegal in Utah. CBD products are legal for everyone with some restrictions, and THC is legal for medicinal use.
If you don’t have a cannabis patient card, and you’re caught in possession of marijuana, that is a class B misdemeanor. This means up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Marijuana possession can also be bumped up to a second-degree felony if the amount is 100 pounds or more. This means one-to-fifteen years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
For possession of Schedule I and II drugs (excluding marijuana) and controlled substance analogs, you can be charged with a class A misdemeanor, meaning up to 364 days in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.
A controlled substance analog is a drug that has a similar composition and effect as a Schedule I and II drugs. However, it’s not currently listed in any of the Schedule I to V drugs.
If you’re caught with any other controlled substances that aren’t Schedule I, II or analogs, you can be charged with a class B misdemeanor.
In most states, the legal limit for blood alcohol content while operating a vehicle is 0.08. In Utah, that number is 0.05. However, you can also be charged with a DUI for having any kind of amount of drug or alcohol that makes it unsafe for you to operate a vehicle.
A first DUI offense in Utah is a class B misdemeanor. However, it can be bumped up to a class A misdemeanor — up to 364 days in jail and $2,500 in fines — if you have a minor in the car with you.
If you have a good attorney, you most likely won’t have to serve very much prison time for a first DUI. Instead, you can serve probation. During that time, you may need to install an ignition interlock system. This is a device you blow into. If it detects alcohol, your vehicle doesn’t start.
It’s illegal to buy or consume alcohol at all if you’re under 21. However, you won’t be charged criminally if you’re caught..
If you’re younger than 18, you’ll have to take a screening. Based on the results, you might have to also take a further assessment. After that, you may have to complete an educational series or undergo treatment for a substance use disorder.
If you are between 18 and 21, your driving privileges may be suspended. However, the time of the suspension can be lessened if you complete the educational series or you’re showing progress in a substance use disorder treatment.
Although underage drinking doesn’t necessarily come with criminal charges, using a fake ID to obtain alcohol does. It is a class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a class A misdemeanor for a second offense. For a third offense, it is a class A misdemeanor with additional fees, screenings, educational programs, and community service.
If you damage someone’s property or steal, the severity of the charges depends on how much money the property is worth, and it’s the same for both theft and property destruction:
Going to protests is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment, but if you don’t comply with law enforcement telling you to leave a public place or official meeting, you can get charged with disorderly conduct. This crime also includes the following actions:
At the most basic level, this is just an infraction, which usually just includes a fine or community service. However, if you’re asked to stop what you’re doing, but you keep doing it anyway, you can wind up with a class C misdemeanor. This means up to 90 days in jail and $750 in possible fines.
There is nothing inherently illegal about having sex while in college. However, if you don’t have proper consent, you can get charged with a sexual offenses. The severity of the charges depends on what you do. Here are a few examples:
Crimes like these are a serious issue on college campuses. Before you engage in any sexual activity, it’s important to make sure you have a good idea what consent is.
Assault is when you use any kind of unlawful force to inflict injury on another person. It can be something as simple as a punch or a slap, and by itself, it is a class B misdemeanor.
However, this can be bumped up to aggravated assault if you use a dangerous weapon, you try to impede breathing or blood circulation, or you use any kind of force that could cause death or bodily injury.
Aggravated assault is a third-degree felony. However, it can be bumped up to a second-degree felony if there is substantial bodily injury. It can also be a first-degree felony if you commit the crime against a police officer.
This crime often applies to group activities like team sports or fraternity initiations. Hazing is when you put another person through extreme activities that can endanger physical or mental health, and you’re part of the same organization as the other person. It can also apply to situations where the other person isn’t part of your group, but they want to join.
These activities can include things that you do to the person like branding or whipping. It can also include things you make the other person do, such as sleep deprivation or consuming alcohol.
Hazing by itself is a class B misdemeanor. However, it can escalate to a class A misdemeanor if the activity involves a motor vehicle, alcohol, or drugs. It can also further escalate to a third-degree felony if a dangerous weapon was involved or the hazing resulted in serious bodily injury.
If there was both a dangerous weapon and serious bodily injury, that can land you with a second-degree felony.
In Utah, cyberstalking is known as electronic communication harassment. You can get charged with this crime if you try contacting someone electronically with the intention of threatening, harassing, abusing, or intimidating that person. This is a class B misdemeanor.
It’s important to understand other people’s boundaries and respect them, especially online. If the other person doesn’t wish to communicate with you, further contact could result in criminal penalties.
If you are attending a Utah college, and you get accused of a crime, that can result in disciplinary action from both the school and the state. For either jurisdiction, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer. You need someone by your side who knows the legal system and can help you get the best outcome possible.
The attorneys at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat all have years of experience with all sorts of criminal cases. They’ll be able to help you no matter what you’ve been accused of. To get started, tell us about your case, and we’ll contact you.
