Murder in Utah law constitutes the unlawful and intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Utah. Utah law categorizes homicide offenses into various kinds with specific criteria, each carrying specific penalties.
Legal definitions and classifications
Under Utah law, homicide offenses are classified as follows:
- Murder: Intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person. This is classified as a first-degree felony.
- Aggravated Murder: Involves intentional killing under specific aggravating circumstances, such as the murder of a law enforcement officer, multiple victims, or during the commission of certain felonies. Aggravated murder is a capital felony.
- Manslaughter: Recklessly causing the death of another person or committing murder under mitigating circumstances, such as extreme emotional disturbance. This is a second-degree felony.
- Negligent homicide: Causing the death of another person through criminal negligence. This is classified as a class A misdemeanor.
In the 2013 case of State v. Perea, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Graham v. Florida, which prohibits life without parole sentences for juveniles in non-homicide cases, does not apply to individuals aged 19 or older or to homicide cases.
Penalties
| Offense | Mandatory sentencing
(Parole Eligibility Determined by Parole Board) |
|---|---|
| Murder or felony murder | 15 years to life |
| Aggravated murder | Death penalty, life without parole, or 25 years to life |
| Manslaughter | 1 to 15 years imprisonment |
| Negligent homicide | Up to 1 year in jail |
Statistics
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2020 that Utah had one of the lowest homicide rates in the United States. Despite this, the Utah Department of Public Safety recorded a 44% increase in homicides in 2020 compared to 2019, with a total of 93 homicides reported. By 2023, Utah's violent crime rate had decreased to 232 per 100,000 residents, down from the 2020 spike.
References
- "76-5-203. Murder". Utah State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "76-5-202. Aggravated murder". Utah State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "76-5-205. Manslaughter". Utah State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "76-5-206. Negligent homicide". Utah State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- State v. Perea, 2013 UT 68, 322 P.3d 624 (November 15, 2013).
- "NACDL - Excessive Sentencing Project - Utah". National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "2020 Crime in Utah Report Now Available". Utah Department of Public Safety. August 6, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "CCJJ Issue Brief: 2023 Crime Rates Update Since 2020 Crime Spike" (PDF). Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. May 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.