H.B. 25 Enrolled

CIVIL STALKING AMENDMENTS
2001 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: LaWanna Shurtliff
Katherine M. Bryson
Ty McCartney
Gary F. Cox
Patrice M. Arent

This act modifies the Code of Criminal Procedure to create a civil stalking injunction and
a procedure for having one issued by a court. This act provides for a petition, hearing
requirements for both parties, and allows for renewal of the injunction under certain
conditions. This act takes effect on July 1, 2001.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
76-5-106.5, as last amended by Chapter 49, Laws of Utah 2000
77-3-1, as enacted by Chapter 15, Laws of Utah 1980
ENACTS:
77-3a-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
77-3a-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
77-3a-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 76-5-106.5 is amended to read:
76-5-106.5. Definitions -- Stalking -- Injunction -- Hearing.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Course of conduct" means repeatedly maintaining a visual or physical proximity to
a person or repeatedly conveying verbal or written threats or threats implied by conduct or a
combination thereof directed at or toward a person.
(b) "Immediate family" means a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or any other person who
regularly resides in the household or who regularly resided in the household within the prior six
months.
(c) "Repeatedly" means on two or more occasions.

(2) A person is guilty of stalking who:
(a) intentionally or knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person
that would cause a reasonable person:
(i) to fear bodily injury to himself or a member of his immediate family; or
(ii) to suffer emotional distress to himself or a member of his immediate family;
(b) has knowledge or should have knowledge that the specific person:
(i) will be placed in reasonable fear of bodily injury to himself or a member of his immediate
family; or
(ii) will suffer emotional distress or a member of his immediate family will suffer emotional
distress; and
(c) whose conduct:
(i) induces fear in the specific person of bodily injury to himself or a member of his
immediate family; or
(ii) causes emotional distress in the specific person or a member of his immediate family.
(3) A person is also guilty of stalking who intentionally or knowingly violates a stalking
injunction issued pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 3a, Stalking Injunctions, or intentionally or knowingly
violates a permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to this section.
(4) Stalking is a class A misdemeanor:
(a) upon the offender's first violation of Subsection (2); or
(b) if the offender violated a stalking injunction issued pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 3a,
Stalking Injunctions.
(5) Stalking is a third degree felony if the offender:
(a) has been previously convicted of an offense of stalking;
(b) has been convicted in another jurisdiction of an offense that is substantially similar to
the offense of stalking;
(c) has been previously convicted of any felony offense in Utah or of any crime in another
jurisdiction which if committed in Utah would be a felony, in which the victim of the stalking or a
member of the victim's immediate family was also a victim of the previous felony offense; or

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(d) violated a permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to Subsection (7).
(6) Stalking is a felony of the second degree if the offender:
(a) used a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601 or used other means or force
likely to produce death or serious bodily injury, in the commission of the crime of stalking;
(b) has been previously convicted two or more times of the offense of stalking;
(c) has been convicted two or more times in another jurisdiction or jurisdictions of offenses
that are substantially similar to the offense of stalking;
(d) has been convicted two or more times, in any combination, of offenses under Subsection
(5); or
(e) has been previously convicted two or more times of felony offenses in Utah or of crimes
in another jurisdiction or jurisdictions which, if committed in Utah, would be felonies, in which the
victim of the stalking was also a victim of the previous felony offenses.
(7) A conviction for stalking or a plea accepted by the court and held in abeyance for a
period of time shall operate as an application for a permanent criminal stalking injunction limiting
the contact of the defendant and the victim.
(a) A permanent criminal stalking injunction shall be issued without a hearing unless the
defendant requests a hearing at the time of the verdict, finding, or plea of guilty, guilty and mentally
ill, plea of no contest, or acceptance of plea in abeyance. The court shall give the defendant notice
of his right to request a hearing.
(i) If the defendant requests a hearing, it shall be held at the time of the verdict, finding, or
plea of guilty, guilty and mentally ill, plea of no contest, or acceptance of plea in abeyance unless
the victim requests otherwise, or for good cause.
(ii) If the verdict, finding, or plea of guilty, guilty and mentally ill, plea of no contest, or
acceptance of plea in abeyance was entered in a justice court, a certified copy of the judgment and
conviction or a certified copy of the court's order holding the plea in abeyance must be filed by the
victim in the district court as an application and request for hearing for a permanent criminal stalking
injunction.
(b) A permanent criminal stalking injunction may grant the following relief:

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(i) an order restraining the defendant from entering the residence, property, school, or place
of employment of the victim and requiring the defendant to stay away from the victim and members
of the victim's immediate family or household and to stay away from any specified place that is
named in the order and is frequented regularly by the victim; and
(ii) an order restraining the defendant from making contact with the victim, including an
order forbidding the defendant from personally or through an agent initiating any communication
likely to cause annoyance or alarm, including personal, written, or telephone contact with the victim,
the victim's employers, employees, fellow workers, or others with whom communication would be
likely to cause annoyance or alarm to the victim.
(c) A permanent criminal stalking injunction may be dissolved upon application of the
victim to the court which granted the order.
(d) Notice of permanent criminal stalking injunctions issued pursuant to this section shall
be sent by the court to the statewide warrants network or similar system.
(e) A permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to this section shall be effective
statewide.
(f) Violation of an injunction issued pursuant to this section shall constitute an offense of
stalking. Violations may be enforced in a civil action initiated by the stalking victim, a criminal
action initiated by a prosecuting attorney, or both.
(g) Nothing in this section shall preclude the filing of a criminal information for stalking
based on the same act which is the basis for the violation of the stalking injunction issued pursuant
to Title 77, Chapter 3a, Stalking Injunctions, or permanent criminal stalking injunction.
Section 2. Section 77-3-1 is amended to read:
77-3-1. Threatened offense -- Complaint.
A complaint that a person has threatened to commit an offense against the person or property
of another, except in the case of stalking, may be made before any magistrate. Petitions alleging the
commission of stalking shall be handled pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 3a, Stalking Injunctions.
Section 3. Section 77-3a-101 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 3a. STALKING INJUNCTIONS

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77-3a-101. Civil stalking injunction -- Petition -- Ex parte injunction.
(1) As used in this chapter, "stalking" means the crime of stalking as defined in Section
76-5-106.5 . Stalking injunctions may not be obtained against law enforcement officers,
governmental investigators, or licensed private investigators, acting in their official capacity.
(2) Any person who believes that he or she is the victim of stalking may file a verified
written petition for a civil stalking injunction against the alleged stalker with the district court in the
district in which the petitioner or respondent resides or in which any of the events occurred. A minor
with his or her parent or guardian may file a petition on his or her own behalf, or a parent, guardian,
or custodian may file a petition on the minor's behalf.
(3) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop and adopt uniform forms for
petitions, ex parte civil stalking injunctions, civil stalking injunctions, service and any other
necessary forms in accordance with the provisions of this chapter on or before July 1, 2001. The
office shall provide the forms to the clerk of each district court.
(a) All petitions, injunctions, ex parte injunctions, and any other necessary forms shall be
issued in the form adopted by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
(b) The offices of the court clerk shall provide the forms to persons seeking to proceed under
this chapter.
(4) The petition for a civil stalking injunction shall include:
(a) the name of the petitioner; however, the petitioner's address shall be disclosed to the court
for purposes of service, but, on request of the petitioner, the address may not be listed on the petition,
and shall be protected and maintained in a separate document or automated database, not subject to
release, disclosure, or any form of public access except as ordered by the court for good cause
shown;
(b) the name and address, if known, of the respondent;
(c) specific events and dates of the actions constituting the alleged stalking;
(d) if there is a prior court order concerning the same conduct, the name of the court in which
the order was rendered; and
(e) corroborating evidence of stalking, which may be in the form of a police report, affidavit,

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record, statement, item, letter, or any other evidence which tends to prove the allegation of stalking.
(5) If the court determines that there is reason to believe that an offense of stalking has
occurred, an ex parte civil stalking injunction may be issued by the court that includes any of the
following:
(a) respondent may be enjoined from committing stalking;
(b) respondent may be restrained from coming near the residence, place of employment, or
school of the other party or specifically designated locations or persons;
(c) respondent may be restrained from contacting, directly or indirectly, the other party,
including personal, written or telephone contact with the other party, the other party's employers,
employees, fellow workers or others with whom communication would be likely to cause annoyance
or alarm to the other party; or
(d) any other relief necessary or convenient for the protection of the petitioner and other
specifically designated persons under the circumstances.
(6) Within ten days of service of the ex parte civil stalking injunction, the respondent is
entitled to request, in writing, an evidentiary hearing on the civil stalking injunction.
(a) A hearing requested by the respondent shall be held within ten days from the date the
request is filed with the court unless the court finds compelling reasons to continue the hearing. The
hearing shall then be held at the earliest possible time. The burden is on the petitioner to show by
a preponderance of the evidence that stalking of the petitioner by the respondent has occurred.
(b) An ex parte civil stalking injunction issued under this section shall state on its face:
(i) that the respondent is entitled to a hearing, upon written request within ten days of the
service of the order;
(ii) the name and address of the district court where the request may be filed;
(iii) that if the respondent fails to request a hearing within ten days of service, the ex parte
civil stalking injunction is automatically modified to a civil stalking injunction without further notice
to the respondent and that the civil stalking injunction expires three years after service of the ex parte
civil stalking injunction; and
(iv) that if the respondent requests, in writing, a hearing after the ten-day period after service,

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the court shall set a hearing within a reasonable time from the date requested.
(7) At the hearing, the court may modify, revoke, or continue the injunction. The burden
is on the petitioner to show by a preponderance of the evidence that stalking of the petitioner by the
respondent has occurred.
(8) The ex parte civil stalking injunction and civil stalking injunction shall include the
following statement: "Attention. This is an official court order. If you disobey this order, the court
may find you in contempt. You may also be arrested and prosecuted for the crime of stalking and
any other crime you may have committed in disobeying this order."
(9) The ex parte civil stalking injunction shall be served on the respondent within 90 days
from the date it is signed. An ex parte civil stalking injunction is effective upon service. If no
hearing is requested in writing by the respondent within ten days of service of the ex parte civil
stalking injunction, the ex parte civil stalking injunction automatically becomes a civil stalking
injunction without further notice to the respondent and expires three years from the date of service
of the ex parte civil stalking injunction.
(10) If the respondent requests a hearing after the ten-day period after service, the court shall
set a hearing within a reasonable time from the date requested. At the hearing, the burden is on the
respondent to show good cause why the civil stalking injunction should be dissolved or modified.
(11) Within 24 hours after the affidavit or acceptance of service has been returned, excluding
weekends and holidays, the clerk of the court from which the ex parte civil stalking injunction was
issued shall enter a copy of the ex parte civil stalking injunction and proof of service or acceptance
of service in the statewide network for warrants or a similar system.
(a) The effectiveness of an ex parte civil stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction shall
not depend upon its entry in the statewide system and, for enforcement purposes, a certified copy of
an ex parte civil stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction is presumed to be a valid existing
order of the court for a period of three years from the date of service of the ex parte civil stalking
injunction on the respondent.
(b) Any changes or modifications of the ex parte civil stalking injunction are effective upon
service on the respondent. The original ex parte civil stalking injunction continues in effect until

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service of the changed or modified civil stalking injunction on the respondent.
(12) Within 24 hours after the affidavit or acceptance of service has been returned, excluding
weekends and holidays, the clerk of the court shall enter a copy of the changed or modified civil
stalking injunction and proof of service or acceptance of service in the statewide network for
warrants or a similar system.
(13) The ex parte civil stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction may be dissolved at
any time upon application of the petitioner to the court which granted it.
(14) The court clerk shall provide, without charge, to the petitioner one certified copy of the
injunction issued by the court and one certified copy of the proof of service of the injunction on the
respondent. Charges may be imposed by the clerk's office for any additional copies, certified or not
certified in accordance with Rule 4-202.08 of the Code of Judicial Administration.
(15) The remedies provided in this chapter for enforcement of the orders of the court are in
addition to any other civil and criminal remedies available. The district court shall hear and decide
all matters arising pursuant to this section.
(16) After a hearing with notice to the affected party, the court may enter an order requiring
any party to pay the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees.
(17) This chapter does not apply to protective orders or ex parte protective orders issued
pursuant to Title 30, Chapter 6, Cohabitant Abuse Act, or to preliminary injunctions issued pursuant
to an action for dissolution of marriage or legal separation.
Section 4. Section 77-3a-102 is enacted to read:
77-3a-102. Fees -- Service of process.
(1) Ex parte civil stalking injunctions and civil stalking injunctions shall be served by a
sheriff or constable.
(2) All service shall be in accordance with applicable law.
(3) Fees may not be imposed by a court clerk, constable, or law enforcement agency for:
(a) filing a petition under this chapter;
(b) obtaining an ex parte civil stalking injunction; or
(c) service of a civil stalking injunction, ex parte or otherwise.

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Section 5. Section 77-3a-103 is enacted to read:
77-3a-103. Enforcement.
(1) A peace or law enforcement officer shall, without a warrant, arrest a person if the peace
or law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person has violated an ex parte civil
stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction issued pursuant to this chapter or has violated a
permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to Section 76-5-106.5 , whether or not the
violation occurred in the presence of the officer.
(2) A violation of an ex parte civil stalking injunction or of a civil stalking injunction issued
pursuant to this chapter constitutes the criminal offense of stalking as defined in Section 76-5-106.5
and is also a violation of the civil stalking injunction. Violations may be enforced by a civil action
initiated by the petitioner, a criminal action initiated by a prosecuting attorney, or both.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act takes effect on July 1, 2001.

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