Violent offense committed in presence of a child -- Penalties.

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  • (1) As used in this section:
    • (a) "In the presence of a child" means:
      • (i) in the physical presence of a child younger than 14 years of age; and
      • (ii) having knowledge that the child is present and may see or hear the commission of a violent criminal offense.
    • (b) "Violent criminal offense" means any criminal offense involving violence or physical harm or threat of violence or physical harm, or any attempt to commit a criminal offense involving violence or physical harm that is not a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1.
  • (2) A person commits a violent criminal offense in the presence of a child if the person:
    • (a) commits or attempts to commit criminal homicide, as defined in Section 76-5-201, against a third party in the presence of a child;
    • (b) intentionally causes or attempts to cause serious bodily injury to a third party or uses a dangerous weapon, as defined in Section 76-1-601, or other means or force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury, against a third party in the presence of a child; or
    • (c) under circumstances not amounting to a violation of Subsection (2)(a) or (b), commits a violent criminal offense in the presence of a child.
  • (3) A person who violates Subsection (2) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.




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