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tennessee felony offender

Understanding Tennessee Felony Laws: Offender Classifications and Sentencing

Felony charges are no joke in Tennessee. Even a conviction for a low-level felony can land you in prison for years and leave you with a criminal record that follows you for life. So what do you need to know about Tennessee felony laws if you find yourself facing criminal allegations?This guide breaks down the basics: How felonies are classified, sentencing ranges, special repeat offender laws, and other key things to understand. We’ll also look at criminal record expungement and the long-term consequences of having a felony conviction in Tennessee.

Felony Classifications in Tennessee

Tennessee categorizes felonies into five classes – A, B, C, D and E – based on the seriousness of the offense. Class A felonies involve the most severe crimes like first-degree murder and carry longer prison sentences, while Class E felonies are considered the least serious.Here’s an overview of the five felony classes and example crimes that fall under each:

• Class A felonies – rape of a child under 13, aggravated rape, first-degree murder, terrorism offenses.
• Class B felonies – second-degree murder, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated kidnapping.
• Class C felonies – voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, robbery.
• Class D felonies – reckless endangerment, aggravated criminal trespass, felony evading arrest.
• Class E felonies – prescription drug fraud, theft, check fraud.

The class of felony you are charged with is a major factor judges consider when determining a sentence. Harsher sentences come with more severe felony charges.

Felony Sentencing Ranges

In addition to the felony class, a convicted offender’s criminal history also plays a significant role in sentencing. Tennessee law establishes sentencing ranges based on an offender’s history:

Range I

Applied to offenders with little to no prior felony convictions. It’s the most lenient sentencing range.

Range II

For offenders with a more extensive misdemeanor record or at least one prior felony conviction.

Range III

Reserved for those with the most extensive criminal histories and repeat felony offenders. This is the harshest sentencing range.The table below summarizes the minimum and maximum prison sentences for each felony class across the three offender ranges in Tennessee:

So for a Class C felony, possible sentences range from 3-15 years depending on criminal history. The ranges allow room for judges to impose sentences fitting the facts of each case.

Enhanced Penalties Under Repeat Offender Laws

Tennessee has several repeat offender laws that ratchet up sentences for those with prior convictions. The harshest one is the Three Strikes Law, which mandates a life sentence without parole for offenders convicted of a third “strikeable” violent offense.Other repeat offender laws in Tennessee include:

• Multiple offender – Requires Range II sentencing for offenders with more extensive misdemeanor records or at least one prior felony.
• Persistent offender – Allows judges to impose Range III sentencing for certain repeat offenders.
• Career offender – Imposes Range III sentencing for offenders with six or more prior felonies.

Because of laws like these, having prior felonies on your record exposes you to significantly higher sentences for any new conviction. It’s all the more reason to fight felony allegations from the start.

Expunging Felony Convictions in Tennessee

Many wonder if they can get felony convictions removed from their record through Tennessee’s expungement process. The answer depends on the type of felony.Only low-level Class C, D and E non-violent felonies are eligible for expungement in Tennessee. After completing all sentencing terms, eligible offenders must petition the court and pay a fee to start the expungement process. If approved, the conviction is essentially wiped from the public record.However, prosecutors and judges still have access to expunged records for purposes of sentencing in future cases. So while expungement offers some relief for those with minor felony convictions, it can’t erase the conviction completely.

Long-Term Consequences of a Felony Record

Beyond time in prison, a felony conviction also brings many collateral consequences that can follow you for life. The stigma of having a record can close doors to jobs, housing, loans and opportunities. Some specific consequences include:

• Employment issues – Many employers are reluctant to hire felons even if they’ve served their sentence.
• Housing discrimination – Landlords often deny housing applications from felons.
• Loss of rights – Felons lose voting rights, gun ownership rights and other civil liberties.
• Higher sentences – Prior felonies lead to harsher sentences for any new conviction.
• Deportation – Felonies expose immigrant defendants to removal from the country.