Utah Code » Title 77, Chapter 7 — Arrest, by Whom, and How Made
Utah Code

Utah Code § 77-7-12 (2026)

Detaining persons suspected of shoplifting or library theft -- Persons authorized

✓ laws through the 2026 General Session (checked Sept. 2026)
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A peace officer, merchant, or merchant's employee, servant, or agent who has reasonable grounds to believe that goods held or displayed for sale by the merchant have been taken by a person with intent to steal may, for the purpose of investigating the unlawful act and attempting to effect a recovery of the goods, detain the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable length of time.
A peace officer or employee of a library may detain a person for the purposes and under the limits of Subsection (1) if there are reasonable grounds to believe the person violated Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 8, Library Theft.

Amended by Chapter 245, 1987 General Session

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1990–2013 · leading case: United States v. Baker, 30 M.J. 262 (1990).
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United States v. Baker, 30 M.J. 262 (1990). “Code Ann. § 2935.041 (Page 1987); Okla.Stat., Tit.”
Orem City v. Santos, 2013 UT App 155, 304 P.3d 883. · cites it 8× “d specifically Utah law, authorizes and encourages these employees to act on the State's behalf, She points to Utah Code section 77-7-12(1), which provides, A peace officer, merchant, or merchant's employee, servant, or agent who has reasonable grounds to believe that goods held…”
Utah Code § 77-7-12(1): 1 case
Orem City v. Santos, 2013 UT App 155, 304 P.3d 883. “d specifically Utah law, authorizes and encourages these employees to act on the State's behalf, She points to Utah Code section 77-7-12(1), which provides, A peace officer, merchant, or merchant's employee, servant, or agent who has reasonable grounds to believe that goods held…”
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