Full text of Utah Utah Code § 5c-101 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5c-101. Definitions.
Effective 5/6/2026 76-5c-101.
Definitions. As used in this chapter:
(1)
(a)
"Animal crushing" means actual conduct in which a living non-human mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.
(b)
"Animal crushing" does not include:
(i)
normal veterinary, agricultural husbandry, or other animal management practice;
(ii)
the slaughter of animals for food;
(iii)
hunting, trapping, fishing, or a sporting activity not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law;
(iv)
medical or scientific research; or
(v)
conduct necessary to protect the life or property of an individual.
(2)
"Blinder rack" means an opaque cover that covers the lower 2/3 of a material so that the lower 2/3 of the material is concealed from view.
(3)
"Constructive awareness" means that:
(a)
a reasonable inspection or observation by an individual under the circumstances would have disclosed the nature of the subject matter; and
(b)
a failure to inspect or observe by the individual is either for the purpose of avoiding the disclosure or the individual is criminally negligent.
(4)
"Contemporary community standards" means those current standards in the vicinage where an offense alleged under this part has occurred, is occurring, or will occur.
(5)
"Criminally negligent" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-2-103.
(6)
"Distribute" means to transfer possession of a material with or without consideration.
(7)
"Exhibit" means to show.
(8)
(a)
"Harmful to minors" means that quality of any description or representation, in whatsoever form, of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct with an animal, or animal crushing when it:
(i)
taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in sex of minors;
(ii)
is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and
(iii)
taken as a whole, does not have serious value for minors.
(b)
Serious value includes only serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.
(9)
"Knowingly," regarding material or a performance, means an awareness, whether actual awareness or constructive awareness, of the character of the material or performance.
(10)
(a)
"Material" means anything printed or written or any picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture, or pictorial representation, or any statue or other figure, or any recording or transcription, or any mechanical, chemical, or electrical reproduction, or anything which is or may be used as a means of communication.
(b)
"Material" includes undeveloped photographs, molds, printing plates, and other latent representational objects.
(11)
"Minor" means an individual younger than 18 years old.
(12)
"Negligently" means simple negligence, the failure to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable and prudent person would exercise under like or similar circumstances.
(13)
"Nudity" means:
(a)
the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, or buttocks, with less than an opaque covering;
(b)
the showing of a female breast with less than an opaque covering, or any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; or
(c)
the depiction of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.
(14)
"Obscene animal abuse material" means material that:
(a)
(i)
depicts animal crushing; or
(ii)
sexual conduct with an animal; and
(b)
(i)
the average individual, applying contemporary community standards, finds that, taken as a whole, the depiction of animal crushing or sexual conduct with an animal appeals to prurient interest in sex;
(ii)
the depiction of animal crushing or sexual conduct with an animal is patently offensive; and
(iii)
taken as a whole, the depiction of animal crushing or sexual conduct with an animal does not have serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
(15)
"Performance" means any physical human bodily activity, whether engaged in alone or with other individuals, including singing, speaking, dancing, acting, simulating, or pantomiming.
(16)
"Pornographic" means:
(a)
the average individual, applying contemporary community standards, finds that, taken as a whole, the material or performance appeals to prurient interest in sex;
(b)
the material or performance is patently offensive in the description or depiction of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sadomasochistic abuse, or excretion; and
(c)
taken as a whole the material or performance does not have serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
(17)
"Public place" includes a place to which admission is gained by payment of a membership or admission fee, however designated, notwithstanding its being designated a private club or by words of like import.
(18)
"Sadomasochistic abuse" means:
(a)
flagellation or torture by or upon a person who is nude or clad in undergarments, a mask, or in a revealing or bizarre costume; or
(b)
the condition of being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained on the part of an individual clothed as described in Subsection (18)(a).
(19)
"Sexual conduct" means acts of masturbation, sexual intercourse, or any touching of an individual's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if the individual is a female, breast, whether alone or between members of the same or opposite sex in an act of apparent or actual sexual stimulation or gratification.
(20)
(a)
"Sexual conduct with an animal" means an act of sexual intercourse, or any touching of an individual's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if the individual is a female, breast, between a human and an animal in an act of apparent or actual sexual stimulation or gratification.
(b)
"Sexual conduct with an animal" includes a violation of bestiality as described in Section 76-13-213.
(21)
"Sexual excitement" means a condition of human male or female genitals when in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal, or the sensual experiences of humans engaging in or witnessing sexual conduct or nudity.
Section 5c-101 ("Definitions.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Utah § 5c-101?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 5c-101" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Utah law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.
How does Utah § 5c-101 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
