Criminal Offenses in Utah – Legislative Changes, Additions, and Removals
The Utah Legislature works hard each year to try to improve the world. Without passing judgment, without expressing agreement or dissent, we present to you the 2026 Annual Offense Report from the Department of Criminal Justice, Sentencing Commission.
The report’s overview states, “The 2026 legislative session created 44 substantive new offenses, removed 7 offenses, enhanced 2 offenses, reduced 7 offenses, expanded the elements of 5 offenses, and reduced the elements of 5 offenses.”
Of the 44 new crimes, 17 were felonies and 2 were infractions. The rest were misdemeanors.
The report itself is linked below. But here are a few highlights:
HB 260 – Unauthorized Practice of Law
The unauthorized practice of law in Utah has long been prohibited under Utah Code 78A-9-103. However, the prior version of this statute provided only that a violation could “be enforced by any civil action or proceeding instituted by the Board of Commissioners of the Utah State Bar.”
Under the recent amendments to this law, practicing law without a license is criminal conduct that can be punished as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on circumstances.
HB 331 – No Masks While Committing Crime
This bill established a new crime, “intentional concealment of identity while committing an offense in public,” codified at Utah Code 76-9-115.
The new law applies if a person commits any crime in a public place, and “wears a mask or other facial obscurant or disguise with the intent to conceal the actor’s identity from law enforcement….”
It applies both to a person who actually commits a crime, and also to anyone “congregating with other individuals who the actor knows are committing [a crime].”
The new law adds a class A misdemeanor, on top of whatever other crime the person commits.
SB 93 – Pickup and Delivery – No Drones in Jails
Utah Code 72-10-903 previously contained a provision making it a third degree felony to use an unmanned aircraft system (i.e., drone) to “carry or drop any item to or inside the property of a correctional facility.”
But SB 93 changes the statute so that delivery and pickup are now both prohibited. It is a third degree felony to use a drone system “to remove any item from inside the property of a correctional facility.”
But seriously….
The criminal justice system involves important interests, both for the individual and for society. Utah law provides stiff potential penalties for a a person convicted of criminal conduct. But the consequences of crime and conviction extend beyond the individual person and affect families, communities, and our society as a whole.
You can view or download your own copy of this 2026 report on new and modified criminal statutes in Utah. But if you are facing criminal charges, contact a good defense attorney. Get the help you need.