It’s imperative you retain legal representation immediately if you’re facing a felony conviction for sexual assault in Tennessee. When it comes to sexual assault, Tennessee has very strict laws and even harsher punishments. Tennessee currently prosecutes sex crimes based on 12 sexual offense categories. These 12 categories are all felony crimes with significant penalties including costly fines and jail time.
The Sentences
Class A Felonies
- Aggravated rape
- Aggravated rape of a child under 3
- Rape of a child 4-13 years old
A Class A felony conviction is the most serious felony in Tennessee. Class A felonies are punishable by 15-60 years in prison and fines up to $50,000. A convicted offender automatically receives a minimum of 25 years’ imprisonment for any sexual crimes related to a child.
Class B Felonies
- Rape
- Aggravated sexual battery
- Child pornography
Class B felonies are punishable by 8-30 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.
Class C Felonies
- Incest
- Sexual battery by an authority figure
- Statutory rape by an authority figure
Class C felonies are punishable by 3-15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Any authority figure convicted of sexual battery or statutory rape will not be eligible for probation.
Class D Felonies
- Aggravated statutory rape
Class D felonies are punishable by 2-12 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
Class E Felonies
- Statutory rape
- Mitigated statutory rape
- Sexual battery
Class E felonies are punishable by 1-6 years in prison and fines up to $3,000.
You are automatically added to the Sex Offender Registry if you are convicted of any sexual assault offense in Tennessee. This registry is maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and provides the names and addresses of all sex offenders in the state. Anyone can access the Sex Offender Registry, making it difficult for listed offenders to find employment opportunities.
Your Defense
Contact Patton | Pittman Attorneys if you’re facing sexual assault charges in Tennessee. Our criminal defense lawyers have the skills and experience to offer legal counsel and proactive representation. We can fight to keep you out of jail and off the Sex Offender Registry!
Contact Patton | Pittman Attorneys at (931) 361-4477 to schedule a free consultation.