Utah § 5c-203 - Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material.
Full text of Utah Utah Code § 5c-203 — Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5c-203. Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material.
Effective 5/6/2026 76-5c-203.
Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material.
An actor commits aiding or abetting a minor in distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material if the actor:
(a)
is 18 years old or older; and
(b)
knowingly solicits, requests, commands, encourages, or intentionally aids a minor in:
(i)
sending or bringing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material into the state with intent to distribute or exhibit the material to another individual;
(ii)
preparing, publishing, printing, or possessing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material with intent to distribute or exhibit the material to another individual;
(iii)
distributing or offering to distribute, or exhibiting or offering to exhibit, pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material to another individual;
(iv)
writing, creating, or soliciting the publication or advertising of pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material;
(v)
promoting the distribution or exhibition of obscene animal abuse material or material the minor represents to be pornographic or obscene animal abuse material; or
(vi)
presenting or directing a pornographic performance in a public place or a place exposed to public view or participates in that portion of the performance which makes the performance pornographic.
(3)
A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony subject to:
(a)
a minimum mandatory fine of not less than $1,000, plus $10 for each article exhibited up to the maximum allowed by law; and
(b)
incarceration, without suspension of sentence in any way, for a term of not less than 30 days.
(4)
(a)
Each act of distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material described in Subsection (2) is a separate offense.
(b)
It is a separate offense under this section for:
(i)
each day's exhibition of any pornographic motion picture film or obscene animal abuse material motion picture film; and
(ii)
each day in which any pornographic publication or obscene animal abuse material publication is displayed or exhibited in a public place with intent to distribute or exhibit the publication to another individual.
(5)
(a)
This section does not apply to an internet service provider if:
(i)
the distribution of pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material by the internet service provider occurs only incidentally through the internet service provider's function of:
(A)
transmitting or routing data from one person to another person; or
(B)
providing a connection between one person and another person;
(ii)
the internet service provider does not intentionally aid or abet in the distribution of the pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material; and
(iii)
the internet service provider does not knowingly receive funds from or through a person who distributes the pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material in exchange for permitting the person to distribute the pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material.
(b)
This section does not apply to a hosting company if:
(i)
the distribution of pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material by the hosting company occurs only incidentally through the hosting company's function of providing data storage space or data caching to a person;
(ii)
the hosting company does not intentionally engage, aid, or abet in the distribution of the pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material; and
(iii)
the hosting company does not knowingly receive funds from or through a person who distributes the pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material in exchange for permitting the person to distribute, store, or cache the pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material.
Section 5c-203 ("Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing pornographic material or obscene animal abuse material.") 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-203?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 5c-203" (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-203 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.
