{"id":376460,"date":"2018-08-08T13:47:34","date_gmt":"2018-08-08T18:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-kidnapping-law.html"},"modified":"2026-01-27T14:30:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T19:30:49","slug":"tennessee-kidnapping-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-kidnapping-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Kidnapping Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Kidnapping Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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

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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\n\n

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Tennessee<\/span> law<\/span> defines kidnapping as unlawfully confining a person while creating a substantial risk of bodily injury<\/span>. This serious felony can lead to severe penalties, including up to 60 years in prison for some types of aggravated kidnapping<\/span>, which involves factors like the use of a <\/span>deadly weapon<\/span> or the victim being under 13.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Most states, including Tennessee<\/span>, classify kidnapping as a serious felony. Even if the kidnapper ultimately releases the victim, they will still face severe penalties. Depending on the facts of the case and the defendant’s criminal history, they may face up to 60 years in prison (for especially aggravated kidnapping<\/span>).<\/p>\n

In this article, we will explain Tennessee<\/span>‘s kidnapping laws<\/span><\/u><\/a>, including the penalty and defenses to this crime. We will also discuss the factors that may cause the court to enhance the criminal charges<\/span> and penalties in a kidnapping case<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you’re facing kidnapping charges<\/span>, consider consulting an experienced Tennessee<\/span> criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/u><\/a> sooner rather than later. A kidnapping conviction<\/span> will impact the rest of your life. Having a skilled criminal defense lawyer<\/span> by your side can make a huge difference in your future.<\/p>\n

How Does Tennessee<\/span> Define Kidnapping?<\/h2>\n

Tennessee<\/span> Code<\/span> defines kidnapping as false imprisonment<\/span> under circumstances where there is a substantial risk of bodily injury<\/span> to the victim<\/a>. To fully understand Tennessee<\/span>‘s kidnapping laws<\/span>, we have to look at how the state defines the crime of false imprisonment<\/span>. Under Tennessee<\/span> law<\/span>, a person is guilty of false imprisonment<\/span> if they knowingly and unlawfully confine a person or remove them from a location while substantially interfering with the person’s liberty.<\/p>\n

To convict someone of kidnapping in Tennessee<\/span>, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant committed false imprisonment<\/span> under circumstances exposing the victim to substantial risk of bodily injury<\/span>. Tennessee<\/span> law<\/span> recognizes the related crimes of aggravated kidnapping<\/span><\/u><\/a> and \u201cespecially aggravated kidnapping<\/span>.\u201d These offenses are discussed in more detail below.<\/p>\n

Aggravated Kidnapping<\/span><\/h3>\n

A person faces aggravated <\/span>kidnapping<\/span> charges<\/span> when they commit an ordinary kidnapping and specific aggravating factors are present. The prosecutor must determine whether they plan to charge the defendant with this enhanced crime when they file criminal charges<\/span><\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to Tennessee<\/span> Code<\/span>, a person commits aggravated kidnapping<\/span><\/a> when one or more of the following factors exist:<\/p>\n