{"id":376736,"date":"2016-04-11T01:24:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/utah-law\/utah-domestic-violence-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-03-09T18:20:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T23:20:19","slug":"utah-domestic-violence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-domestic-violence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah Domestic Violence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Utah Domestic Violence Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Utah<\/span> domestic violence<\/span> laws<\/span> make abuse, such as assault or stalking, committed against a spouse, family member<\/span>, or romantic partner, a criminal offense<\/span>. Within these laws are protections through temporary and final protective orders<\/span> that restrict an abuser\u2019s contact with the victim or make them leave a shared home.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Domestic violence<\/span> can take many forms of abuse – not only physical harm<\/span> but also emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. The state of Utah<\/span> has laws designed to help victims of domestic abuse<\/a> and punish their abusers.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll examine the protections and punishments under Utah<\/span> law<\/span>, the elements of domestic violence<\/span> crimes<\/span>, and how to navigate the legal system. For a deep dive focused on protections and restraining orders<\/span>, take a look at FindLaw’s Utah<\/span> Protective Orders<\/span> Laws<\/a> article.<\/p>\n

Utah<\/span> Domestic Violence<\/span> Laws<\/span>: The Basics<\/h2>\n

No matter what the crime is, there can’t be a charge involving domestic violence<\/span> between two strangers. Along the same line of thought, Utah<\/span> won’t consider a transgression between people considered cohabitants<\/span> as domestic violence<\/span> if it’s not one of the specific offenses identified by the state.<\/p>\n

Domestic violence<\/span> laws<\/span> are complex. Let’s start by learning about the two qualifying elements in a domestic violence<\/span> case<\/span>: cohabitants<\/span><\/a> and crimes of abuse.<\/p>\n

Domestic Violence<\/span> Laws<\/span> in Utah<\/span>: Cohabitants<\/span><\/h3>\n

Crimes of violence and abuse are horrible, but when those involved are family members<\/span> or trusted household members, they can be even more damaging. For an offense to be considered domestic violence<\/span> in Utah<\/span>, it requires that the people affected fall under one of the following categories:<\/p>\n