Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HB0129.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 129

             1     

DEFENSE OF PROPERTY AND PERSON

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Patrick Painter

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill clarifies the statute regarding civil liability for defending against criminal
             10      activity.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    clarifies that a person is justified in defending their home and family against
             14      criminal activity and may not be liable for civil damages for injury or damage
             15      occurring while doing so.
             16      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             17          None
             18      Other Special Clauses:
             19          None
             20      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             21      AMENDS:
             22          78B-3-110, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
             23     
             24      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             25          Section 1. Section 78B-3-110 is amended to read:
             26           78B-3-110. Defense to civil action for damages resulting from commission of
             27      crime.


             28          (1) A person may not recover from the victim of a crime for personal injury or property
             29      damage if [the person]:
             30          (a) the person entered the property of the victim or the victim's family with criminal
             31      intent and the injury or damage was inflicted by the victim or occurred while the person was on
             32      the victim's property; [or]
             33          (b) the person committed a crime against the victim or the victim's family, during
             34      which the damage or injury occurred[.]; or
             35          [(2) The provisions of Subsection (1) do not apply if the person can prove by clear and
             36      convincing evidence that:]
             37          [(a) the person's actions did not constitute a felony; and]
             38          [(b) the person's culpability was less than the person from whom recovery is sought.]
             39          [(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply]
             40           (c) the victim is cleared of any wrongdoing under the provisions of Title 76, Chapter
             41      2, Part 4, Justification Excluding Criminal Responsibility.
             42          (2) Subsection (1) applies to any next-of-kin, heirs, or personal representatives of the
             43      person if the person acquires a disability or is killed.
             44          [(4)] (3) Subsections (1)[,] and (2)[, and (3)] do not apply if the person committing or
             45      attempting to commit the crime has clearly retreated from the criminal activity.
             46          [(5)] (4) "Clearly retreated" means that the person committing the criminal act has
             47      fully, clearly, and immediately ceased all hostile, threatening, violent, or criminal behavior or
             48      activity.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-1-12 9:57 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]