{"data":{"id":"us-ut/utah-code-76-8-510.5","jurisdiction":"us-ut","citation":"Utah Code § 76-8-510.5","heading":"Tampering with evidence.","body":"(1)\n(a) As used in this section, \"thing or item\" includes any document, record book, paper, file, electronic compilation, or other evidence.\n(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-8-101, and 76-8-501 apply to this section.\n(2) An actor commits tampering with evidence if the actor:\n(a)\n(i) believes that an official proceeding or investigation is pending or about to be instituted; or\n(ii) intends to prevent an official proceeding or investigation or to prevent the production of a thing or item which reasonably would be anticipated to be evidence in the official proceeding or investigation; and\n(b) knowingly or intentionally:\n(i) alters, destroys, conceals, or removes a thing or item with the purpose of impairing the veracity or availability of the thing or item in the proceeding or investigation; or\n(ii) makes, presents, or uses a thing or item which the actor knows to be false with the purpose of deceiving a public servant or other party who is or may be engaged in the proceeding or investigation.\n(3)\n(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor.\n(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the offense is committed in conjunction with an official proceeding.\n(4) Subsection (2) does not apply to any offense that amounts to a violation of Section 76-8-306.","path":["Title 76 Criminal Offenses","Chapter 76-8 Offenses Against the Administration of Government","Part 76-8-5 Falsification in Official Matters"],"source_url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter8/76-8-S510.5.html","current_through":"2026 General Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T11:34:34Z","sha256":"d6df43965bfe6ffb96087588c9929978d6a63d94a79d514ccf81c6dfd9cd81c2","source_id":"us-ut","stale":false,"prev":"us-ut/utah-code-76-8-509","next":"us-ut/utah-code-76-8-511"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}