Tennessee Felony

Tennessee Felony Offenses
Tennessee offenses are distinguished by the seriousness of each crime. These range from capital crimes to minor misdemeanors. Felonies reside at the top of the list. Just above felonies of any class are those of capital crimes. The only two punishments available for capital crimes are death and life imprisonment.

Felonies follow accordingly from the most serious to the least serious. Class A Felonies are punishable by no less than fifteen years and no more than sixty years in prison. The jury may also implement a fine of no more than fifty thousand dollars at their own discretion.

Class B Felonies can carry sentences of no less than eight years and no more than thirty years in a state prison. A jury may also give an addition fine of no more than twenty-five thousand dollars. This is only subject to otherwise provided statutes.

Class C Felonies are also subject to fines as designated by a jury unless statutes are provided. This fine can be as much as ten thousand dollars but no more. A prison sentence can be given with no less than three years and no more than fifteen years in a state prison.

Class D Felonies carry no less than two years and no more than twelve years in prison. Like other felonies, Class D Felonies can have a dual punishment of an addition fine, as implemented by the jury, of no more than five thousand dollars.

Class E Felonies are the last of the Tennessee felonies categories. These felonies can have a prison sentence up to six years and no less than one year in a state facility. The jury may also access a fine of no more than three thousand dollars.

Sentencing
After the determination of the felony class, the accused is then tried by a judge or a jury for the designated punishment. Along with jail time sentencing, a judge may also give probation or diversion. If the accused has multiple charges, he or she may be sentenced to concurrent or consecutive time where the sentences follow one another.

For instance an individual may be charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor. In this, one sentence may be for five years, another twelve years, and another ten years. Under consecutive sentencing, this person would serve twenty-seven years of imprisonment for the crimes at hand.

Expungement
Expungement of a past misdemeanor or felony conviction can be helpful for the future. However certain stipulations apply. Convictions following an arrest must be dropped, a conviction must be reversed, or a person must be acquitted of a crime for expungement in most cases. A person who has been pardon may also apply for expungement. But those who have been arrested and convicted for violent felonies are not eligible for expungement under almost any circumstance. This also includes the sealing of records.

Most juvenile records are able to be expunged if the individual was under the age of eighteen at the time of the crime. However some circumstances can keep a juvenile expungement from being accepted.

See also:
Tennessee Misdemeanor External link (opens in new window)
Tennessee Expungement External link (opens in new window)
Tennessee Gun Laws External link (opens in new window)