Utah § 5c-206 - Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing material harmful to minors.
Full text of Utah Utah Code § 5c-206 — Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing material harmful to minors., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5c-206. Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing material harmful to minors.
Effective 5/7/2025 76-5c-206.
Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing material harmful to minors.
An actor commits aiding or abetting a minor in distributing material harmful to minors if:
(a)
the actor is 18 years old or older; and
(b)
the actor knowingly solicits, requests, commands, encourages, or intentionally aids a minor to:
(i)
intentionally distribute or offer to distribute, or exhibit or offer to exhibit, material harmful to minors to an individual;
(ii)
intentionally produce, perform, or direct any performance, before an individual that is harmful to minors; or
(iii)
intentionally participate in any performance, before an individual that is harmful to minors; and
(c)
(i)
the minor described in Subsection (2)(b) knows or believes the individual described in Subsections (2)(b)(i) through (iii) is a minor; or
(ii)
the minor described in Subsection (2)(b) negligently fails to determine if the individual described in Subsections (2)(b)(i) through (iii) is a minor and the individual is a minor.
(3)
A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony subject to:
(a)
a minimum mandatory fine of not less than $5,000, plus $10 for each article exhibited up to the maximum allowed by law; and
(b)
incarceration, without suspension of sentence, for a term of not less than one year.
(4)
(a)
This section does not apply to an Internet service provider, a provider of an electronic communications service as defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2510, a telecommunications service, information service, or mobile service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 153, including a commercial mobile service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 332(d), or a cable operator as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 522, if:
(i)
the distribution of pornographic material by the Internet service provider occurs only incidentally through the 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 provider does not intentionally aid or abet in the distribution of the pornographic material; and
(iii)
the provider does not knowingly receive from or through a person who distributes the pornographic material a fee greater than the fee generally charged by the provider, as a specific condition for permitting the person to distribute the pornographic material.
(b)
This section does not apply to a hosting company if:
(i)
the distribution of pornographic 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; and
(iii)
the hosting company does not knowingly receive from or through a person who distributes the pornographic material a fee greater than the fee generally charged by the provider, as a specific condition for permitting the person to distribute, store, or cache the pornographic material.
(5)
An Internet service provider is not negligent under this section if the Internet service provider complies with Section 76-5c-402.
(6)
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of this section if the violation arises from displaying or exhibiting an outer portion of material that the material is:
(a)
in a sealed opaque wrapper that covers at least the lower 2/3 of the material so that the lower 2/3 of the material is concealed from view;
(b)
placed behind a blinder rack; or
(c)
(i)
displayed in an area from which a minor is physically excluded; and
(ii)
the material cannot be viewed by the minor from an area where the minor is allowed.
Section 5c-206 ("Aiding or abetting a minor in distributing material harmful to minors.") 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-206?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 5c-206" (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-206 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.
