Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Tennessee sex crime lawyers understand that even an unsubstantiated accusation of any sex offense will have serious consequences. Sex crimes create a harsh and unforgiving social-stigma associated with the offender that is difficult to repair. Accusations can severely impact your reputation in the community, employment, and family. If you are convicted, you face not only the possibility of incarceration, but also embarrassing registration requirements.

The registration requirement for convicted sex offenders is the modern-day Scarlet Letter. Convicted sex offenders must be on the sexual offender registry pursuant to the Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration, Verification, and Tracking Act 2004. The offender will be forced to check in with his or her local law enforcement agency periodically and be subjected to having his or her photograph placed upon a public website. The frequency and length of reporting depends upon the person’s classification as either a sexual offender or violent sexual offender. It is important to realize that these are two distinct categories under Tennessee law.

"Sexual offender" means a person who has been convicted in Tennessee of committing a sexual offense or has another qualifying conviction.

"Sexual offense" means:

(A) The commission of any act that, on or after November 1, 1989, constitutes the criminal offense of:

• Sexual battery, under § 39-13-505;

• Statutory rape, under § 39-13-506, if the defendant has one (1) or more prior convictions for mitigated statutory rape under § 39-13-506(a), statutory rape under § 39-13-506(b) or aggravated statutory rape under § 39-13-506(c);

• Aggravated prostitution, under § 39-13-516;

• Sexual exploitation of a minor, under § 39-17-1003;

• False imprisonment where the victim is a minor, under § 39-13-302, except when committed by a parent of the minor;

• Kidnapping, under § 39-13-303, except when committed by a parent of the minor;

• Indecent exposure, under § 39-13-511, upon a third or subsequent conviction;

• Solicitation of a minor, under § 39-13-528 when the offense is classified as a Class D felony, Class E felony, or a misdemeanor;

• Spousal sexual battery, for those committing the offense prior to June 18, 2005, under former § 39-13-507 [repealed];

• Attempt, under § 39-12-101, to commit any of the offenses enumerated above;

• Solicitation, under § 39-12-102, to commit any of the offenses enumerated above;

• Conspiracy, under § 39-12-103, to commit any of the offenses enumerated above;

• Criminal responsibility, under § 39-11-402(2), to commit any of the offenses enumerated above;

• Facilitating the commission, under § 39-11-403, to commit any of the offenses enumerated above;

• Being an accessory after the fact, under § 39-11-411, to commit any of the offenses enumerated above;

• Aggravated statutory rape, under § 39-13-506(c); or

• Exploitation of a minor by electronic means, under § 39-13-529;

Your Tennessee criminal attorney should be experienced in sex crime cases. These types of cases have special considerations that affect everyone involved. Allegations are easy to make, but sometimes difficult to disprove. Our Tennessee lawyers handle all types of sexual offense cases in the East Tennessee area. Our offices serve the following areas: Knoxville, Morristown, Loudon, Maryville, Newport, Greeneville, Johnson City, Bristol, Chattanooga, and Sevierville.