The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor, or lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, is generally committed when (1) the offender touches the child’s body or gets the child to touch the child’s body, the offender’s body, or someone else; (2) the touching occurs on bare skin or through clothing; (3) the touching was for sexual reasons; and (4) the child was under 14 years of age.

Laws regarding lewd acts with a minor vary from state to state, including the required age of the child and the required elements of the criminal offense. And some states classify the criminal offense of lewd acts with minor as the criminal offense of indecency with a minor, or lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child, or a similar offense.

Some states have expanded the definition of these laws to include looking at the body or private parts of a child in a sexual manner, or causing or forcing a child to witness sex acts in the presence of the child. These states prosecute persons who engage in such activity in online video chat rooms for this criminal offense.

The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor (or similar offense) is generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Utah, the criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor is addressed under Utah Code § 76-9-702.5, which defines the crime of 'sexual abuse of a minor.' This statute makes it illegal for any person to intentionally touch the anus, buttocks, pubic area, or any part of the genitals of a child, or to cause a child to touch the aforementioned body parts of any person, with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. The law applies when the child is under 14 years of age. Additionally, Utah law criminalizes the act of causing a child to witness a sex act under certain circumstances, which can be found under Utah Code § 76-5b-201, 'Sexual exploitation of a minor,' and § 76-5b-202, 'Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.' These statutes cover offenses related to producing, distributing, or possessing child pornography, as well as inducing or coercing a minor to participate in or observe sexual conduct. The penalties for these offenses vary based on the nature of the act and the age of the child, and can include significant prison time and fines.