Tennessee Rape and Sexual Assault Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed January 07, 2022
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Many different forms of non-consensual sexual conduct, including rape and other sexual touching (called "sexual battery"), are sex crimes in Tennessee. Generally, higher penalties are assessed for especially bad actions, such as displaying weapons to rape or raping a young child.
Children can't consent to most sexual conduct in Tennessee. Therefore, even if a child or teen claims to consent to a sexual act, it can still be illegal. This is called "statutory rape." When a girl under 18 is pregnant and her doctor finds out the alleged father is over four years older and not her spouse, then the doctor is encouraged to report the condition to the police or court with the patient's or her parents' consent.
Rape and Sexual Assault Defenses
Many possible defenses could apply to a rape or sexual battery case. For example, for sexual activities between two adults, showing that the person did consent and that there was no force could be a defense. In addition, innocence, which could be proven by an alibi showing you couldn't possibly have been the person who did it, is a defense. It's possible a mental condition could make it so a defendant didn't understand the sexual conduct was illegal, an insanity defense.
It's best to discuss what happened with a qualified, local sex crimes lawyer to develop and present a solid defense.
Tennessee Rape and Sexual Assault Laws: Statutes
The main provisions of Tennessee's rape and sexual assault laws are outlined below.
Code Sections |
Tennessee Code Title 39: Criminal Offenses, Chapter 13: Offenses Against the Person, Part 5: Sexual Offenses |
What is Prohibited? |
Many sexual offenses are illegal in Tennessee, including:
|
Penalties |
The sentence ranges for the above sex crimes are:
Sex Offender Registry: Almost all sex offenders will end up on the national sex offender registry which seriously impacts where you can live, where you can work, and what your neighbors, friends, and family think of you when they find you're on the registry. You'll need to check in regularly with the local police for several years to the rest of your life. |
Note: State laws are constantly changing, typically through legislation, case law, or ballot initiative. We make every effort to keep these pages up-to-date, but you may also want to contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Related Resources
Charged with Violating Tennessee Rape and Sexual Assault Laws? Get Legal Help
If you're convicted of sexual assault or rape in Tennessee, you're likely facing incarceration. And, anytime there's a risk of incarceration, it's a good idea to consult with a skilled sex crime lawyer who can evaluate the strength of the case against you and put up a strategic defense on your behalf.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex cases usually require a lawyer
- Experienced lawyers can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
- Sexual assaults & sex crime convictions often have long sentences and lifelong consequences
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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