Utah Special Enhancements (also known as Utah Sentencing Enhancements) are aggravating factors that can be applied to criminal charges in the state of Utah. These enhancements are used to increase the severity of a sentence in cases where additional punishment is deemed necessary. Utah Special Enhancements can include a range of factors such as prior convictions, gang membership, use of a weapon, and the victim's age. There are three main types of Utah Special Enhancements: Type I, Type II, and Type III. Type I Enhancements are the most serious and can increase a sentence by up to 100%. These enhancements are reserved for serious offenses and can be triggered by prior convictions, gang membership, or the use of a weapon. Type II Enhancements can increase a sentence by up to 50%. These enhancements are applied to crimes that are not as serious as Type I, such as certain drug offenses or theft. Type III Enhancements can increase a sentence by up to 25%. These enhancements are applied to minor offenses, such as traffic violations or misdemeanors. Overall, Utah Special Enhancements are used to increase the severity of sentences for certain criminal offenses. These factors are taken into consideration by the courts to ensure that the punishment fits the crime.