reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 4 - MISCONDUCT INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (§§ 39-16-401 — 39-16-410) › Section 39-16-406 - Suspension, removal and discharge from office

(a)
A public servant convicted under §
39-16-402
, §
39-16-403
or §
39-16-404
shall be removed from office or discharged from the position.
(b)
A public servant elected or appointed for a specified term shall be:
(1)
Suspended without pay immediately upon conviction in the trial court through the final disposition of the case;
(2)
Removed from office for the duration of the term during which the conviction occurred if the conviction becomes final; and
(3)
Barred from holding any appointed or elected office for ten (10) years from the date the conviction becomes final.
(c)
A public servant who serves at-will shall be discharged upon conviction in the trial court. Subsequent public service shall rest with the hiring or appointing authority; provided, that the authority has been fully informed of the conviction.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 4 - MISCONDUCT INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (§§ 39-16-401 — 39-16-410) › Section 39-16-407 - Misrepresenting information to state auditor

(a)
A public servant commits an offense who, with intent to deceive, knowingly misrepresents material information related to an audit conducted by an auditor in the department of audit.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 2005, ch. 135, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 4 - MISCONDUCT INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (§§ 39-16-401 — 39-16-410) › Section 39-16-408 - Sexual contact with inmates

(a)
For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Law enforcement officer" and "correctional employee" include a person working in that capacity as a private contractor or employee of a private contractor; and
(2)
"Volunteer" means any person who, after fulfilling the appropriate policy requirements, is assigned to a volunteer job and provides a service without pay from the correctional agency, except for compensation for those expenses incurred directly as a result of the volunteer service.
(b)
It is an offense for a law enforcement officer, correctional employee, vendor or volunteer to engage in sexual contact or sexual penetration, as such terms are defined in §
39-13-501
, with a prisoner or inmate who is in custody at a penal institution as defined in §
39-16-601
, whether the conduct occurs on or off the grounds of the institution.
(c)
A violation of this section is a Class E felony.
Acts 1997, ch. 388, § 1; T.C.A. §
41-21-241
; Acts 2006, ch. 1005, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 4 - MISCONDUCT INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (§§ 39-16-401 — 39-16-410) › Section 39-16-409 - Sexual contact with probationer or parolee

(a)
For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Probation and parole officer" means a probation and parole officer as defined in §
40-28-102
; and
(2)
"Probationer or parolee" means any individual who is placed on probation or parole, as defined in §
40-28-102
, and who is under the active supervision of the department of correction. For the purpose of this section only, "probationer or parolee" does not include the lawful spouse of a probation and parole officer who is placed under the supervision of the department of correction subsequent to the marriage.
(b)
It is an offense for a probation and parole officer to engage in sexual contact or sexual penetration, as defined in §
39-13-501
, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with a probationer or parolee who is under the supervision of the department of correction; provided, that the probation or parole officer knows or reasonably should know the person is a probationer or parolee.
(c)
A violation of this section is a Class E felony.
Acts 2008, ch. 1200, § 1; 2012, ch. 727, § 7.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 4 - MISCONDUCT INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (§§ 39-16-401 — 39-16-410) › Section 39-16-410 - Unlawful acts related to audits

(a)
It is an offense for a supervisor to intentionally:
(1)
Instruct, direct, or encourage an employee to make a false statement, entry, notation, or report during or in relation to an audit;
(2)
Alter, destroy, or conceal information, documentation, or material having evidentiary value to an audit; or
(3)
Interfere with, impede, obstruct, or limit access to any information, documentation, or communication that is requested during or in relation to an audit.
(b)
It is an offense for an employee to intentionally interfere with, impede, or obstruct any information, documentation, or communication that is requested during or in relation to the audit if that employee, based on experience, training, and longevity, knew or should have known what information, documentation, or communication was being requested.
(c)
A violation of subsection (a) or (b) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d)
Charges for a violation of subsection (a) or (b) may be brought only by indictment, presentment, or criminal information; provided, that nothing in this section shall deny a person from pursuing other criminal charges by affidavit of complaint.
(e)
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Audit" means any audit or investigation conducted by or on behalf of the comptroller of the treasury;
(2)
"Employee" means an individual who works under a supervisor and who receives compensation from the state;
(3)
"Limit access" means any time a supervisor requires the presence of a supervisor before:
(A)
Allowing information to be reviewed during the audit process; or
(B)
Allowing communication between employees and auditors or investigators of the comptroller of the treasury; and
(4)
"Supervisor" means an employee of the state who manages, supervises, directs, or controls the employment status, work, or responsibility of any employee. "Supervisor" includes, but is not limited to, any commissioner, executive director, or staff director.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 939,s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-501 - Part definitions

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Public servant" means a person elected, selected, employed or otherwise designated as one (1) of the following, even if the person has not yet qualified for office or assumed the duties:
(A)
An officer, employee, or agent of government;
(B)
A juror or grand juror;
(C)
An arbitrator or other person who is authorized by law or private written contract to hear or determine a controversy;
(D)
An attorney or notary public performing a governmental function;
(E)
A candidate for nomination or election to public office; or
(F)
A nominee, member, representative, or other holder of a position on a board, commission, or public body of the state or a political subdivision thereof; and
(2)
"Statement" means any representation of fact.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1142, s 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-502 - False reports

(a)
It is unlawful for any person to:
(1)
Initiate a report or statement to a law enforcement officer concerning an offense or incident within the officer's concern knowing that:
(A)
The offense or incident reported did not occur;
(B)
The person has no information relating to the offense or incident reported; or
(C)
The information relating to the offense reported is false; or
(2)
Make a report or statement in response to a legitimate inquiry by a law enforcement officer concerning a material fact about an offense or incident within the officer's concern, knowing that the report or statement is false and with the intent to obstruct or hinder the officer from:
(A)
Preventing the offense or incident from occurring or continuing to occur; or
(B)
Apprehending or locating another person suspected of committing an offense; or
(3)
Intentionally initiate or circulate a report of a past, present, or impending bombing, active shooter, hostage situation, fire, or other emergency, knowing that the report is false or baseless and knowing:
(A)
It will cause action of any sort by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with those emergencies, including, but not limited to, action by a special weapons and tactics team or other division of law enforcement designed to deal with high-risk situations;
(B)
It will place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or
(C)
It will prevent or interrupt the occupation of:
(i)
Any building, place of assembly, form of conveyance, or any other place to which the public has access; or
(ii)
A private residence or residential building.
(b)
(1)
A violation of subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Class D felony.
(2)
A violation of subdivision (a)(3) is a Class C felony.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 794,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1030, § 28; 1998, ch. 690, § 1; 2000, ch. 976, § 1; 2002, ch. 849, § 6.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-503 - Tampering with or fabricating evidence

(a)
It is unlawful for any person, knowing that an investigation or official proceeding is pending or in progress, to:
(1)
Alter, destroy, or conceal any record, document or thing with intent to impair its verity, legibility, or availability as evidence in the investigation or official proceeding; or
(2)
Make, present, or use any record, document or thing with knowledge of its falsity and with intent to affect the course or outcome of the investigation or official proceeding.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class C felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-504 - Destruction of and tampering with governmental records

(a)
It is unlawful for any person to:
(1)
Knowingly make a false entry in, or false alteration of, a governmental record;
(2)
Make, present, or use any record, document or thing with knowledge of its falsity and with intent that it will be taken as a genuine governmental record; or
(3)
Intentionally and unlawfully destroy, conceal, remove or otherwise impair the verity, legibility or availability of a governmental record.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class E felony.
(c)
(1)
Upon notification from any public official having custody of government records, including those created by municipal, county or state government agencies, that records have been unlawfully removed from a government records office, appropriate legal action may be taken by the city attorney, county attorney or attorney general, as the case may be, to obtain a warrant for possession of any public records which have been unlawfully transferred or removed in violation of this section.
(2)
The records shall be returned to the office of origin immediately after safeguards are established to prevent further recurrence of unlawful transfer or removal.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 495,s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1998, ch. 906, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-506 - Coercion of employee who is public servant by employer or agent of employer

(a)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Coercion" means a threat, however communicated, to:
(A)
Commit any offense;
(B)
Wrongfully accuse any person of any offense;
(C)
Expose any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule;
(D)
Harm the credit or business repute of any person; or
(E)
Take or withhold action related to the employment of a public servant or a family member of a public servant;
(2)
"Employee" includes, but is not limited to:
(A)
A person employed by the state or any municipality, county, department, board, commission, agency, instrumentality, political subdivision, or any other entity of the state;
(B)
A person employed by a private employer; or
(C)
A person who receives compensation from the federal government for services performed for the federal government, notwithstanding that the person is not a full-time employee of the federal government; and
(3)
"Employer" includes, but is not limited to:
(A)
The state or any municipality, county, department, board, commission, agency, instrumentality, political subdivision, or any other entity of the state;
(B)
A private employer; or
(C)
The federal government, as to an employee who receives compensation from the federal government for services performed for the federal government, notwithstanding that the person is not a full-time federal employee.
(b)
An employer, or an agent of an employer acting on behalf of the employer, commits an offense who by means of coercion:
(1)
Influences or attempts to influence an employee who is a public servant to vote or not to vote in a particular manner; or
(2)
Influences or attempts to influence an employee who is a public servant to resign as a public servant or unnecessarily recuse themselves from a public body with the intent to influence the action or inaction of a public body.
(c)
A violation of this section is a Class E felony.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1142, s 2, eff. 7/1/2022.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-507 - Coercion or persuasion of witness

(a)
A person commits an offense who, by means of coercion, influences or attempts to influence a witness or prospective witness in an official proceeding with intent to influence the witness to:
(1)
Testify falsely;
(2)
Withhold any truthful testimony, truthful information, document or thing; or
(3)
Elude legal process summoning the witness to testify or supply evidence, or to be absent from an official proceeding to which the witness has been legally summoned.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class D felony.
(c)
A defendant in a criminal case involving domestic assault, pursuant to §
39-13-111
, or a person acting at the direction of the defendant, commits an offense who, by any means of persuasion that is not coercion, intentionally influences or attempts to influence a witness or prospective witness in an official proceeding to:
(1)
Testify falsely;
(2)
Withhold any truthful testimony, information, document, or evidence; or
(3)
Elude legal process summoning the witness to testify or supply evidence, or to be absent from an official proceeding to which the witness has been legally summoned.
(d)
A violation of subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the sentence runs consecutively to the sentence for any other offense that is based in whole or in part on the factual allegations about which the person was seeking to influence a witness.
(e)
Nothing in this section shall operate to impede the investigative activities of an attorney representing a defendant.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 104,s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 8.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-508 - Coercion of juror

(a)
A person commits an offense who by means of coercion:
(1)
Influences or attempts to influence a juror in the exercise of the juror's official power or in the performance of the juror's official duty; or
(2)
Influences or attempts to influence a juror not to vote or to vote in a particular manner.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class E felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-509 - Improper influence of juror

(a)
A person commits an offense who privately communicates with a juror with intent to influence the outcome of the proceeding on the basis of considerations other than those authorized by law.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-510 - Retaliation for past action

(a)
(1)
A person commits the offense of retaliation for past action who harms or threatens to harm a witness at an official proceeding, judge, district attorney general, an assistant district attorney general, an employee of the district attorney general or a law enforcement officer, clerk, employee of the clerk, juror or former juror, or a family member of any such person, by any unlawful act in retaliation for anything the witness, judge, district attorney general, assistant district attorney general, employee of the district attorney general or a law enforcement officer, clerk, employee of the clerk, or juror did in an official capacity as witness, judge, district attorney general, assistant district attorney general, employee of the district attorney general or a law enforcement officer, clerk, employee of the clerk, or juror. The offense of retaliation for past action shall not apply to an employee of a clerk who harms or threatens to harm the clerk.
(2)
For purposes of subdivision (a)(1), "family member" means the spouse, parent, grandparent, stepmother, stepfather, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, adopted children of the parent, or the spouse's parents.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class E felony.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 504,s 1, eff. 7/1/2014.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 29; 1998, ch. 882, § 1; 2000, ch. 953, § 1; 2004, ch. 818, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-511 - Compensation for past action

(a)
A person commits an offense who offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit upon a juror for the juror's having exercised the juror's official power or performed the juror's official duty in favor of the person or another.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-512 - Receipt of compensation for past action

(a)
A person commits an offense who solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept any benefit for having exercised official power or performed official duty in favor of another as a juror.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-513 - Defense

It is a defense to prosecution under §§
39-16-511
and
39-16-512
that the benefit involved was a trivial benefit incidental to personal, professional, or business contacts, which involves no substantial risk of undermining official juror impartiality.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-514 - Dismissal of employee because of jury service

It is a Class A misdemeanor for any employer to dismiss from employment any employee because of jury service by that employee.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-515 - Pointing a laser at a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel

(a)
It is an offense for a person to knowingly activate and point a laser pointer or other device utilizing a laser beam at an individual known to be a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician or other emergency service personnel while the individual is in the performance of the individual's official duties, with the intent to place the individual in fear of serious bodily injury or death.
(b)
In order for subsection (a) to apply:
(1)
The law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or other emergency service personnel must actually be placed in fear of serious bodily injury or death;
(2)
The fear must be real or honestly believed to be real at the time; and
(3)
Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the defendant's conduct, the fear must be founded upon reasonable grounds.
(c)
It is an offense for a person to knowingly shine or aim a light, laser, horn, or other mechanism towards the head of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or other emergency service personnel while the individual is in the performance of the individual's official duties with intent to cause bodily injury.
(d)
(1)
A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2)
A violation of subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor, and includes a mandatory fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and a mandatory minimum sentence of thirty (30) days incarceration. The defendant shall not be eligible for release from confinement until the defendant has served the entire thirty-day mandatory minimum sentence.
Amended by 2020EX2 Tenn. Acts, ch. 3, s 24, eff. 8/20/2020.
Acts 1999, ch. 146, § 1; 2009 , ch. 387, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 5 - INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (§§ 39-16-501 — 39-16-517) › Section 39-16-516 - Traffic offense citation quotas - Performance standards

(a)
A public official or public employee shall not establish or maintain, formally or informally, a plan to evaluate, promote, compensate, or discipline a law enforcement officer solely by the issuance of a predetermined or specified number of any type or combination of types of traffic citations.
(b)
A public official or public employee shall not require or suggest to a law enforcement officer that the law enforcement officer is required or expected to issue a predetermined or specified number of any type or combination of types of traffic citations within a specified period.
(c)
Nothing in this section prohibits a municipal corporation, a political subdivision, or any agency of this state from establishing performance standards for law enforcement officers that include issuance of traffic citations but do not require issuance of a predetermined or specified number or any type or combination of types of citations as the sole means of meeting the performance standards.
(d)
A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor, subject to fine only.
(e)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Public employee" means any person holding a position by appointment or employment in the service of a public employer;
(2)
"Public employer" means:
(A)
The state of Tennessee; or
(B)
A county, city, town, municipality, or any other political subdivision of the state;
(3)
"Public official" means a person elected to any office or entity of state or local government; and
(4)
"Traffic offense" means an offense under title 55.
Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 801, s 1, eff. 10/1/2020.
Acts 2010 , ch. 1000, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-601 - Part definitions

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Complaining witness" means a person who signs a criminal complaint;
(2)
"Custody" means under arrest by a law enforcement officer or under restraint by a public servant pursuant to an order of a court;
(3)
"Escape" means unauthorized departure from custody or failure to return to custody following temporary leave for a specific purpose or limited period, but does not include a violation of conditions of probation or parole; and
(4)
"Penal institution" includes any institution or facility used to house or detain a person:
(A)
Convicted of a crime;
(B)
Adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court;
(C)
Who is in direct or indirect custody after a lawful arrest; or
(D)
When such institution or facility is a court-operated long-term residential substance abuse facility.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1996, ch. 1079, § 125; 2010, ch. 1124, § 3.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-602 - Resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search - Prevention or obstruction of service of legal writ or process

(a)
It is an offense for a person to intentionally prevent or obstruct anyone known to the person to be a law enforcement officer, or anyone acting in a law enforcement officer's presence and at the officer's direction, from effecting a stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search of any person, including the defendant, by using force against the law enforcement officer or another.
(b)
Except as provided in §
39-11-611
, it is no defense to prosecution under this section that the stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search was unlawful.
(c)
It is an offense for a person to intentionally prevent or obstruct an officer of the state or any other person known to be a civil process server in serving, or attempting to serve or execute, any legal writ or process.
(d)
A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor unless the defendant uses a deadly weapon to resist the stop, frisk, halt, arrest, search or process server, in which event the violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1991, ch. 307, § 1; 1999, ch. 178, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-604 - Compounding of offenses

(a)
It is unlawful for any person to solicit, accept or agree to accept any benefit in consideration of refraining from reporting to a law enforcement officer the commission or suspected commission of an offense.
(b)
It is unlawful for a complaining witness to solicit, accept or agree to accept any benefit in consideration of abstaining from, discontinuing or delaying the prosecution of another for an offense.
(c)
It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the benefit was solicited or accepted by the victim and did not exceed an amount reasonably believed by the victim to be due as restitution or indemnification for loss caused by the offense.
(d)
(1)
A violation of this section with respect to an offense classified as a misdemeanor is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2)
A violation of this section with respect to an offense classified as a felony is a Class E felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 12.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-605 - Escape

(a)
It is an offense for any lawfully confined person arrested for, charged with, or found guilty of a civil or criminal offense to escape from a penal institution, as defined in §
39-16-601
.
(b)
(1)
A person commits the offense of escape who is in the lawful custody of a law enforcement officer and knowingly escapes the officer's custody.
(2)
As used in subdivision (b)(1), "lawful custody" means a person has been taken, seized or detained by a law enforcement officer either by handcuffing, restraining or any other method by which a reasonable person would believe places the person in custody and that otherwise deprives the person's freedom of action in a significant way.
(c)
(1)
A violation of subsection (a) is:
(A)
A Class A misdemeanor if the person was being held for a misdemeanor or civil offense; and
(B)
A Class E felony if the person was being held for a felony.
(2)
A violation of subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d)
Any sentence received for a violation of this section shall be ordered to be served consecutively to the sentence being served or sentence received for the charge for which the person was being held at the time of the escape.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 15; 2007, ch. 46, §§ 1, 2; 2009, ch. 241, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-606 - Report of escape

(a)
Whenever a person convicted of a felony escapes from the custody of a penal institution, the appropriate warden, departmental official or law enforcement official responsible for the custody of the person shall immediately report the escape to the following persons:
(1)
Commissioner of correction;
(2)
Commissioner of safety;
(3)
Director of the Tennessee bureau of investigation;
(4)
The district attorney general of the judicial district in which the escape occurred;
(5)
The district attorney general of the judicial district in which the escapee was convicted, who shall make a reasonable effort to notify the victim when the conviction was for a crime of violence;
(6)
The sheriff of the county in which the escape occurred, and the sheriffs in the adjoining counties;
(7)
The sheriff of the county or chief of police in any county having a metropolitan form of government where the escapee was convicted;
(8)
The police department of any municipality, city or town, near the location of the escape; and
(9)
All trial judges involved in the case.
(b)
The report to the officials in subsection (a) shall include the facts of the escape, the time when it occurred and the circumstances under which it occurred, together with the particular description of the escapee, the escapee's age, size, complexion, race, color of hair and eyes, and from what county committed, for what offense, and when.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-607 - Permitting or facilitating escape

(a)
An official or employee of any penal institution that is responsible for maintaining persons in custody commits an offense who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permits or facilitates the escape of a person in custody.
(b)
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly permit or facilitate the escape of a person in custody.
(c)
Permitting or facilitating escape is a Class E felony unless:
(1)
The person in custody was charged with or convicted of a felony;
(2)
The person used or threatened to use a deadly weapon to effect the escape; or
(3)
The offense under subsection (a) was committed intentionally or knowingly, in which event permitting or facilitating escape is a Class C felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1996, ch. 637, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-608 - Implements for escape

(a)
It is unlawful for any person, with intent to facilitate escape, to introduce into a penal institution, or provide an inmate with, anything that may be useful for the inmate's escape.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class D felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-609 - Failure to appear

(a)
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly fail to appear as directed by a lawful authority if the person:
(1)
Has been lawfully issued a criminal summons pursuant to §
40-6-215
;
(2)
Has been lawfully commanded to appear for booking and processing pursuant to a criminal summons issued in accordance with §
40-6-215
;
(3)
Has been lawfully issued a citation in lieu of arrest under §
40-7-118
;
(4)
Has been lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition of subsequent appearance at an official proceeding or penal institution at a specified time or place; or
(5)
Knowingly goes into hiding to avoid prosecution or court appearance.
(b)
It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:
(1)
The appearance is required by a probation and parole officer as an incident of probation or parole supervision; or
(2)
The person had a reasonable excuse for failure to appear at the specified time and place.
(c)
Nothing in this section shall apply to witnesses.
(d)
Failure to appear is a Class A misdemeanor.
(e)
Any sentence received for a violation of this section must be ordered to be served consecutively to any sentence received for the offense for which the defendant failed to appear.
(f)
[Deleted by 2019 amendment.]
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 486,s 4, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 709, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 16; 1997, ch. 317, § 1; 1998, ch. 1049, § 15; 2004, ch. 727, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 6 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE (§§ 39-16-601 — 39-16-610) › Section 39-16-610 - Radar jamming devices

(a)
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Radar jamming device" means any active or passive device, instrument, mechanism, or equipment that is designed or intended to interfere with, disrupt, or scramble the radar or laser that is used by law enforcement agencies and officers to measure the speed of motor vehicles;
(2)
"Radar jamming device" includes, but is not limited to, devices commonly referred to as "jammers" or "scramblers"; and
(3)
"Radar jamming device" does not include equipment that is legal under FCC regulations, such as a citizens' band radio, ham radio, or any other similar electronic equipment.
(b)
It is an offense for any person to knowingly possess or sell a radar jamming device.
(c)
It is an offense for any person to knowingly operate a motor vehicle with a radar jamming device in the motor vehicle.
(d)
It is an offense for a person to knowingly use a radar jamming device for the purpose of interfering with the radar signals or lasers used by law enforcement personnel to measure the speed of a motor vehicle on a highway.
(e)
Any radar jamming device that is used in violation of this section is subject to seizure by any law enforcement officer and may be confiscated and destroyed by order of the court in which a violation of this section is charged.
(f)
This section shall not apply to law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity.
(g)
(1)
A violation of subsection (b) or (c) is a Class C misdemeanor.
(2)
A violation of subsection (d) is a Class B misdemeanor.
Acts 2006, ch. 853, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-701 - Definitions for perjury offenses

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Material" means the statement, irrespective of its admissibility under the rules of evidence, could have affected the course or outcome of the official proceeding;
(2)
"Oath" means a solemn and formal undertaking to tell the truth and includes an equivalent affirmation permitted by law as a substitute for an oath administered by a person authorized by law to take statements under oath;
(3)
"Official proceeding" means any type of administrative, executive, judicial, or legislative proceeding that is conducted before a public servant authorized by law to take statements under oath in that proceeding; and
(4)
"Statement" means any representation of fact.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-702 - Perjury

(a)
A person commits an offense who, with intent to deceive:
(1)
Makes a false statement, under oath;
(2)
Makes a statement, under oath, that confirms the truth of a false statement previously made and the statement is required or authorized by law to be made under oath;
(3)
Makes a false statement, not under oath, but on an official document required or authorized by law to be made under oath and stating on its face that a false statement is subject to the penalties of perjury; or
(4)
Makes a false statement, not under oath, but in a declaration stating on its face that it is made under penalty of perjury.
(b)
(1)
Perjury is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2)
Perjury committed on an application for a handgun carry permit under §
39-17-1351
or §
39-17-1366
is a Class E felony. Each application for a handgun carry permit shall clearly state in bold face type directly above the signature line that an applicant who, with intent to deceive, makes any false statement on the application is guilty of the felony offense of perjury.
(3)
Perjury committed on a sexual offender or violent sexual offender TBI registration form under title 40, chapter 39, part 2, is a Class E felony. Each TBI registration form shall clearly state in bold face type directly above the signature line that an applicant who, with the intent to deceive, makes any false statement on the application is guilty of the felony offense of perjury.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 479, s 15, eff. 1/1/2020.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1997 , ch. 468, § 1; 2004, ch. 921, § 2; 2011 , ch. 211, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-703 - Aggravated perjury

(a)
A person commits an offense who, with intent to deceive:
(1)
Commits perjury as defined in §
39-16-702
;
(2)
The false statement is made during or in connection with an official proceeding; and
(3)
The false statement is material.
(b)
It is no defense that the person mistakenly believed the statement to be immaterial.
(c)
Aggravated perjury is a Class D felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-704 - Retraction

It is a defense to prosecution for aggravated perjury that the person retracted the false statement before completion of the testimony at the official proceeding during which the aggravated perjury was committed.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-705 - Subornation of perjury

(a)
A person commits an offense who, with the intent to deceive, induces another to make a false statement constituting perjury or aggravated perjury.
(b)
(1)
Subornation of perjury is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2)
Subornation of aggravated perjury is a Class E felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 9.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-706 - Irregularity in oath

It is no defense to prosecution for perjury or aggravated perjury that:
(1)
The oath was administered or taken in an irregular manner, or that there was some irregularity in the appointment or qualification of the person who administered the oath; or
(2)
The document was not sworn to if the document contained a recital that it was made under oath, the defendant knew or should have known of the recital when the defendant signed the document, and the document contained the signed jurat of a public servant or notary public authorized to administer oaths.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT (§§ 39-16-101 — 39-16-707) › Part 7 - PERJURY (§§ 39-16-701 — 39-16-707) › Section 39-16-707 - Inconsistent statements

Except as provided in §
39-16-704
, a charge of perjury or aggravated perjury that alleges the person charged has made two (2) or more statements under oath, any two (2) of which cannot both be true, need not allege which statement is false if both statements were made within the period of the statute of limitations. At trial, the prosecution need not prove which statement is false.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 980, § 30.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-117) › Section 39-17-101 - Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited

(a)
It is an offense for a person to display, exhibit, handle, or use a venomous or dangerous snake or reptile in a manner that endangers the life or health of any person. As used in this subsection (a), "venomous" means any toxic substance that is actively injected by an animal through a bite or sting and that causes injury or death.
(b)
An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 636,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-117) › Section 39-17-102 - Unlawful disposal of raw sewage - Continued violation - Enforcement

(a)
It is an offense for a person to unlawfully dispose of water carrying human waste, household or business waste, or to pipe or transmit raw sewage or the effluent from any septic tank or other system of any type, into or on public or private property.
(b)
Each day of continued violation after conviction constitutes a separate offense.
(c)
It is the duty of the local health officer to enforce the terms of this section, but this shall not be a duty exclusive only to local health officers.
(d)
An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-117) › Section 39-17-103 - Abandonment of certain airtight containers

(a)
It is an offense for a person to place or permit to remain outside any dwelling, building, or other structure, or within any warehouse or storage room or any unoccupied or abandoned dwelling, building or other structure, under any circumstances as to be accessible to children, any icebox, refrigerator, or other airtight or semi-airtight container that has a capacity of one and one-half (11/2) cubic feet or more and an opening of fifty (50) square inches or more and that has a door or lid equipped with a latch or other fastening device capable of securing the door or lid shut.
(b)
An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-117) › Section 39-17-104 - Safety devices on refrigerators required

(a)
All new iceboxes or refrigerators that have a capacity of one and one-half (11/2) cubic feet or more, and an opening of fifty (50) square inches or more, and that have a door or lid equipped with a latch or other fastening device capable of securing the door or lid shut, sold or offered for sale in this state shall be equipped with a safety device that will enable the door or lid to be opened easily from the inside as a means of escape. Failure to abide by this provision is an offense.
(b)
An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-117) › Section 39-17-105 - Charge for use of public toilet facility prohibited

(a)
It is an offense for a person maintaining toilet facilities available to the public to impose a charge for the use of the facility.
(b)
Each toilet facility maintained in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.
(c)
An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-117) › Section 39-17-106 - Gifts of adulterated candy or food

(a)
It is an offense for any person with the intent to harm another knowingly to offer, give or entice another to take or accept any treat, candy, gift, or food that is poisonous or harmful to the health or welfare of the recipient or other person.
(b)
An offense under this section is a Class E felony.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.