Assault.
Utah Code § 76-5-102
in effect76-5-102. Assault.
(1)
(a) As used in this section, "chokehold" means a restraining hold in which one individual encircles the neck of another individual in a viselike grip using an arm.
(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section.
(2) An actor commits assault if the actor:
(a) attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to inflict bodily injury on an individual; or
(b) commits an act, with unlawful force or violence, that:
(i) causes bodily injury to an individual; or
(ii) creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to an individual.
(3)
(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor.
(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if:
(i) the actor causes substantial bodily injury to an individual; or
(ii) the individual is pregnant and the actor has knowledge of the pregnancy.
(4) The fact that the actor caused serious bodily injury to an individual is not a defense to a violation of this section.
(5) This section does not apply to an actor's use of a chokehold on another individual if:
(a) the chokehold is done as part of training for, or participating in, a practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice, including martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts; and
(b) the other individual is also training for, or participating in, the same practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice.
Amended by Chapter 251, 2026 General Session
Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S102.html?v=C76-5-S102_2026050620260506Fetched: 10/26/2026