Kids and Utah Gangs

In spite of the efforts of law enforcement, Utah gangs seem to be thriving. However, there are laws against involving minors in gangs, and the penalties can be severe.

Penalties Involving Utah Gangs

It’s illegal to solicit, recruit, entice or intimidate a minor (someone under the age of 18) to join a criminal street gang—even if the youth doesn’t join the gang. Attempting any of these methods will earn a person a class B misdemeanor.

It is also a class B misdemeanor to try and stop a juvenile from leaving a gang. Unfortunately, that’s probably easier said than done, because once a kid joins a gang the members will likely pull out all stops to try and keep him involved with gang activities.

If a gang member tries to intimidate a minor to commit or attempt to commit a criminal misdemeanor, that person could be charged with a class A misdemeanor. It’s also illegal for a gang member to try to get a minor to recruit another minor more than once within a 180-day period. Committing this crime can earn a person up to one year in jail.

Most Kids Just Want to Belong Somewhere

Even though the legal penalties should be enough to keep your kids from joining Utah gangs, many youth looking for a place where they feel like they belong might send them right into gang members’ arms.

If your child has become embroiled in a gang, ask for help. Don’t wait around hoping your kid will “see the light” and leave a gang. Also, any legal troubles your child is in warrant an immediate phone call to a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Do what you can to help your kids get help while they’re young, before they get involved in serious trouble.