Almost anything can be classed as a “domestic violence” offense. Utah law designates that for a charge to be of the domestic violence category, the persons involved within the offense must be “cohabitants” of each other. A cohabitant (according to Title 78B of Chapter 7 in the Utah Judicial Code) is a person who is:
- At least 16 years old;
- Is or was a spouse of the other party;
- Is or was living as if a spouse of the other party;
- Is related by blood or marriage to the other party;
- Has one or more children in common with the other party;
- Is the biological parent of the other person’s unborn child; or
- Resides or has resided in the same residence as the other party.