{"id":376416,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-child-pornography-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-27T15:56:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T20:56:13","slug":"tennessee-child-pornography-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-child-pornography-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Child Pornography Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Child Pornography Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Child pornography, or Child Sexual Assault Material<\/a> (CSAM), is illegal in the United States. There are federal and state laws governing sex crimes, including child porn. Tennessee law penalizes the creators and owners of CSAM as well as those who disseminate content involving the sexual exploitation of children.<\/p>\r\n

Many states craft their child pornography laws<\/a> based on the age of the victim. Tennessee child pornography offenses are different in that they don’t rely on the age of the victim significantly. So, Tennessee lawmakers treat child pornography charges involving a 17-year-old the same as they do crimes involving a 4-year-old.<\/p>\r\n

Also, prosecutors don’t have to prove that the child in the pornographic materials<\/a> is actually under 18. Instead, a defendant can be guilty of this crime if the images appear to depict a child under 18 in a sexual manner.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will summarize Tennessee’s child porn laws and the penalties for these offenses. We’ll briefly discuss the defenses your criminal defense lawyer<\/a> can cite in your CSAM case.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Sexual Activity Under Tennessee Law?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

It is illegal in Tennessee to engage in sexual activity with someone under 18.<\/p>\r\n

According to Tennessee Code \u00a7 39-17-1002<\/a>, sexual activity includes the following:<\/p>\r\n