H.B. 57 Enrolled

AMENDMENTS TO JUSTIFICATION AS DEFENSE
2000 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Gary F. Cox
Patrice M. Arent

AN ACT RELATING TO THE CRIMINAL CODE; AMENDING THE DEFENSE OF
JUSTIFICATION.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
76-2-401, as enacted by Chapter 196, Laws of Utah 1973
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 76-2-401 is amended to read:
76-2-401. Justification as defense -- When allowed.
(1) Conduct which is justified is a defense to prosecution for any offense based on the
conduct. The defense of justification may be claimed:
[(1) When] (a) when the actor's conduct is in defense of persons or property under the
circumstances described in Sections 76-2-402 through 76-2-406 of this part;
[(2) When] (b) when the actor's conduct is reasonable and in fulfillment of his duties as a
governmental officer or employee;
[(3) When] (c) when the actor's conduct is reasonable discipline of minors by parents,
guardians, teachers, or other persons in loco parentis, as limited by Subsection (2);
[(4) When] (d) when the actor's conduct is reasonable discipline of persons in custody
under the laws of the state; or
[(5) When] (e) when the actor's conduct is justified for any other reason under the laws
of this state.
(2) The defense of justification under Subsection (1)(c) is not available if the offense
charged involves causing serious bodily injury, as defined in Section 76-1-601 , serious physical
injury, as defined in Section 76-5-109 , or the death of the minor.