{"id":376766,"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-murder-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-02-04T13:32:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T18:32:38","slug":"utah-murder-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-murder-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah Murder Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Utah Murder Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, 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

Murder in Utah<\/span> is defined as the intentional killing of another person or causing death through \u201cdepraved indifference<\/span>.\u201d The law distinguishes between murder and aggravated murder<\/span>, with the latter involving aggravating factors like multiple victims or targeting law enforcement<\/span>. Penalties for murder include 15 years to life imprisonment<\/span>, and aggravated murder<\/span> can lead to the death penalty<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In criminal law, homicide is the killing of a human being<\/span> by another person. In the state of <\/span>Utah<\/span>, criminal homicide<\/span> includes murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide<\/span>, which can involve intentional, knowing, reckless, or negligent actions leading to death.<\/p>\n

Although some states have several degrees or classifications of murder, Utah<\/span> has only murder and aggravated murder<\/span>. Utah<\/span> law<\/span> also recognizes manslaughter and negligent homicide<\/span> as separate offenses.<\/p>\n

How Utah<\/span> Defines Murder<\/h2>\n

Under Utah<\/span> Code<\/span><\/a>, a person commits murder if they:<\/p>\n