23A-5-312. Restitution -- Disposition of money.

522 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-23a/chapter-5/23a-5-312

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

(1)When a person is adjudged guilty of illegal taking, illegal possession, or wanton destruction of protected wildlife, other than a trophy animal, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution:

(a)as set forth in Subsection

(2); or

(b)in a greater or lesser amount than the amount established in Subsection

(2).

(2)Suggested minimum restitution values for protected wildlife are as follows:

(a)$1,500 per animal for:

(i)bison;

(ii)bighorn sheep;

(iii)rocky mountain goat;

(iv)moose;

(v)bear;

(vi)peregrine falcon;

(vii)bald eagle; or

(viii)endangered species;

(b)$1,250 per animal for:

(i)elk; or

(ii)threatened species;

(c)$750 per animal for:

(i)golden eagle;

(ii)river otter; or

(iii)gila monster;

(d)$600 per animal for:

(i)pronghorn antelope; or

(ii)deer;

(e)$525 per animal for:

(i)cougar; or

(ii)bobcat;

(f)$150 per animal for:

(i)swan;

(ii)sandhill crane;

(iii)turkey;

(iv)pelican;

(v)loon;

(vi)egrets;

(vii)herons;

(viii)raptors, except those that are threatened or endangered;

(ix)Utah milk snake; or

(x)Utah mountain king snake;

(g)$150 per horn;

(h)$53 per animal for furbearers, except:

(i)bobcat;

(ii)river otter; and

(iii)threatened or endangered species;

(i)$38 per animal for trout, char, salmon, grayling, tiger muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and wiper;

(j)$30 per pound of antler or shed antler;

(k)$23 per animal for game birds, except:

(i)turkey;

(ii)swan; and

(iii)sandhill crane;

(l)$15 per animal for game fish not listed in Subsection (2)(i) ;

(m)$12 per pound dry weight of processed brine shrimp including eggs; and

(n)$8 per animal for protected wildlife not listed.

(3)If the court finds that restitution is inappropriate or if the value imposed is less than the suggested minimum value as provided in Subsection

(2), the court shall make the reasons for the decision part of the court record.

(a)The court shall order a person convicted of a third degree felony under Subsection 23A-5-311(2)(a)(ii) to pay restitution in accordance with Subsection (4)(b) .

(b)The minimum restitution value for a trophy animal is as follows:

(i)$45,000 per animal for bighorn, desert, or rocky mountain sheep;

(ii)$12,000 per animal for deer;

(iii)$12,000 per animal for elk;

(iv)$9,000 per animal for moose or mountain goat;

(v)$9,000 per animal for bison; and

(vi)$3,000 per animal for pronghorn antelope.

(5)Restitution paid under this section is to be deposited into the Poaching Mitigation Fund created in Section 23A-3-217 .

(6)If restitution is required, restitution shall be in addition to:

(a)a fine or penalty imposed for a violation of this title; and

(b)a remedial action taken to revoke or suspend a person's license, permit, tag, or certificate of registration.

(7)A judgment imposed under this section constitutes a lien when recorded in the judgment docket and shall have the same effect and is subject to the same rules as a judgment for money in a civil action.

Amended by Chapter 400 , 2026 General Session