Effective May 6, 2026, Utah courts have a new tool in certain drug cases: the Off-Limits Order.
Under Utah Code §§ 78B-7-1301 and 78B-7-1302, a court may prohibit a person charged with or convicted of a qualifying drug offense from entering or remaining in a specific public place connected to the alleged drug offense.
For people facing drug charges in Utah, this matters. An Off-Limits Order can affect where a person may go while the case is pending, after sentencing, or in certain nuisance-related proceedings. Violating the order can also lead to a new criminal charge.
What Is an Off-Limits Order?
An Off-Limits Order is a court order that restricts a covered individual from entering or remaining in a specific public place.
Under the statute, a “covered individual” includes:
- A person charged with a drug offense; or
- A person convicted of a drug offense.
That means the order is not limited to people who have already been convicted. In some cases, the court may impose the restriction as a condition of pretrial release while the criminal case is still pending.
The statute allows an Off-Limits Order to be entered:
- As a condition of pretrial release;
- As part of sentencing after conviction; or
- In certain nuisance-related proceedings.
Because this law can apply before a case is resolved, anyone facing a Utah drug charge should take these restrictions seriously from the beginning of the case.
What Drug Offenses Are Covered?
The law applies broadly to drug-related offenses. Depending on the charge, it may apply to cases involving:
- Possession of controlled substances;
- Distribution or possession with intent to distribute;
- Drug manufacturing;
- Controlled substance precursor offenses;
- Imitation controlled substance offenses; and
- Clandestine drug laboratory offenses.
The law is not limited to felony drug cases. Depending on the charge and circumstances, it may also become relevant in misdemeanor drug prosecutions.
If you are facing a drug charge, a Utah drug crimes defense attorney can help you understand whether the prosecution may ask for an Off-Limits Order in your case.
What Locations Can Be Declared Off Limits?
The statute focuses on a specific public place where the alleged drug offense occurred.
A judge cannot simply issue a vague order telling someone to stay away from a broad or undefined area. The law requires the court to describe the restricted location with specificity.
The order must:
- Specifically identify the public place;
- Define the perimeter of the restricted geographic area; and
- Use street names and numbers to describe the boundaries.
This requirement may become important in future cases. If an order is vague, overly broad, or difficult to understand, there may be legal arguments about whether the person received fair notice of what conduct is prohibited.
How Long Can an Off-Limits Order Last?
An Off-Limits Order may remain in effect for up to one year.
The court may also allow exceptions for certain legitimate reasons. The statute specifically mentions exceptions for:
- Health-related reasons; and
- Employment-related reasons.
Depending on the facts, a defense attorney may ask the court to include additional practical exceptions. For example, a person may need access to the area for housing, transportation, family responsibilities, court-approved treatment, or other necessary reasons.
The exact wording matters. A person subject to an Off-Limits Order should not assume there is an exception unless the order clearly allows it.
What Happens If Someone Violates an Off-Limits Order?
Violating an Off-Limits Order is a Class A misdemeanor under Utah law.
That is a serious misdemeanor level. A violation can create a new criminal case on top of the original drug charge. The court may also treat a willful violation as contempt of court.
This means one mistake can create multiple legal problems, including:
- A new misdemeanor charge;
- Possible contempt proceedings;
- Additional release restrictions;
- Problems with bail or pretrial release;
- Complications in plea negotiations; and
- Harsher arguments from the prosecution at sentencing.
If you are served with an Off-Limits Order, read it carefully. Make sure you understand the exact boundaries, the duration of the order, and any exceptions the judge included.
Why Did Utah Create Off-Limits Orders?
Off-Limits Orders appear designed to give courts another way to address repeated drug activity in specific public locations.
The idea is to separate a person from a place connected to alleged drug use, drug possession, drug sales, or other drug-related activity. In theory, the order may be used to reduce repeated activity in a specific location and encourage distance from places associated with substance use or drug transactions.
However, because the law is new, courts will likely need to decide how far these orders can go and what limits apply.
Potential Legal Issues With Off-Limits Orders
Because Utah’s Off-Limits Order law is new, legal challenges may develop over time.
Important questions may include:
- How large can the restricted area be?
- What happens if the person lives or works near the restricted location?
- Can the order be imposed before conviction without violating due process?
- Is the geographic description specific enough?
- Does the order interfere with employment, housing, treatment, transportation, or family obligations?
- What evidence must the prosecution present before the court enters the order?
These issues will likely depend heavily on the facts of each case. A narrowly tailored order may be easier for the court to justify. A broad order that prevents someone from working, living at home, attending treatment, or accessing necessary services may raise stronger legal concerns.
What Should You Do if the Court Enters an Off-Limits Order?
If the court enters an Off-Limits Order against you, do not ignore it. Even if you disagree with the order, violating it can make your situation worse.
Practical steps may include:
- Get a copy of the signed order;
- Review the exact street boundaries;
- Ask your attorney to explain what areas are restricted;
- Do not rely on verbal exceptions unless they are written into the order;
- Ask the court to clarify any confusing language;
- Request necessary exceptions for work, medical care, treatment, housing, or other lawful needs; and
- Contact your attorney immediately if you believe you accidentally violated the order.
A defense attorney may also be able to challenge the order, request narrower boundaries, ask for exceptions, or argue that the restriction is not justified by the facts of the case.
Charged With a Drug Crime in Utah?
If you have been charged with a drug offense in Utah, you may now face more than the underlying criminal charge. An Off-Limits Order could restrict where you live, work, travel, receive treatment, or handle daily responsibilities.
Attorney Jake Gunter can help you understand your rights, evaluate the allegations, and challenge unlawful or overly broad restrictions.
If you are facing drug charges in Utah County or elsewhere in Utah, contact a Provo criminal defense attorney as soon as possible for a confidential consultation.