Sexual Abuse of a Minor Penalties in Salt Lake City
If the alleged offender was younger than 21 years of age at the time of the alleged offense, sexual abuse of a minor is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. Such alleged offenders, however, are not subject to sex offender registration requirements if convicted.
Sexual abuse of a minor is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000 if the alleged offender at the time of the commission of the alleged offense:
- was 18 years of age or older;
- held a “position of special trust”, such as a teacher or a volunteer at a public or private elementary school or secondary school or other position of special trust as set forth in Utah Code 76-5-404.1 (e.g. adoptive parent, aunt, uncle, babysitter, coach, adult cohabitant of the parent, counselor, doctor, grandparent, stepparent, etc.); and
- committed the offense against an individual who at the time of the offense was enrolled as a student at the school where the actor was employed or was acting as a volunteer.
Individuals convicted of third-degree felony sexual abuse of a minor must also register as sex offenders for 10 years following the date of termination of their sentences after first offenses. Any subsequent conviction will result in that person being required to register as a sex offender for life.