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Legal Information: Utah

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
July 19, 2023

What is the legal definition of stalking?

Stalking is when a person intentionally or knowingly does two or more actions (a “course of conduct”) that cause you:

  • to fear for your safety;
  • to fear for someone else’s safety; or
  • emotional distress. Note: “Emotional distress” is defined as significant mental or psychological suffering, including that which results from harm to an animal.1

Stalking may include when someone:

  • follows, monitors, observes, photographs, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about you, or interferes with your property directly, indirectly, or through any third party and by any method or device;
  • approaches or confronts you;
  • appears at your workplace or contacts your employer/coworkers;
  • appears at your house, contacts your neighbors, or enters your property;
  • sends materials to you, your family, employer, co-worker, friend, etc.;
  • places an object or delivers an object to your property, or place of employment; and/or
  • uses the computer, text messaging, or some other electronic method to follow, monitor, or threaten you.2

If a person violates a stalking injunction or a permanent criminal stalking injunction, s/he is also guilty of stalking.3

1 UT ST § 76-5-106.5(1)(a)(i)(A), (1)(a)(ii), (2)(a)
2 UT ST § 76-5-106.5(1)(a)(ii)(B)
3 UT ST § 76-5-106.5(2)(b)