In Tennessee, felonies are categorized by severity, and Class A felonies are the most serious offenses, excluding capital crimes. These charges have significant legal consequences and can permanently change a person’s life. This article explains Class A felonies under Tennessee law and their impact.
Statutory Classification
Tennessee law categorizes felony offenses by severity, with Class A felonies being the most serious below capital crimes. This system, outlined in the Tennessee Code Annotated (e.g., Title 39, Chapter 11, Section 117), ensures consistency in applying criminal laws. Felonies range from Class E (least severe) to Class A, reflecting the societal harm of the acts.
Sentencing Ranges
A Class A felony conviction in Tennessee brings severe penalties. According to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-35-111, this includes a prison sentence from 15 to 60 years and fines up to $50,000 (or a different amount if specified by the offense statute).1Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 40-35-111 (2024) – Authorized Terms of Imprisonment and Fines for Felonies and Misdemeanors Corporations face fines up to $350,000.
The sentence length depends on the defendant’s prior criminal record. For offenders with zero or one prior felony conviction (Range I), sentences are 15 to 25 years.2Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 40-35-112 (2024) – Sentence Ranges Those with two to four prior felony convictions (Range II) face 25 to 40 years. Persistent offenders with five or more prior felony convictions (Range III) receive 40 to 60 years. Career offenders, with extensive serious felony histories, are sentenced to the maximum in Range III.3Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 40-35-108 (2024) – Career Offender
Actual time served is influenced by parole eligibility and sentence reduction credits. Parole eligibility requires serving a percentage of the sentence, which varies by range (e.g., 30% for Range I, 60% for career offenders). For some Class A felonies, state law requires serving a higher percentage, up to 100%, before release, possibly without sentence reduction credits for this part. Credits for good behavior or program participation (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 41-21-236) are possible, with the Board of Parole making final release decisions.4Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 41-21-236 (2024) – Sentence Reduction Credits
Crimes in This Category
Several serious offenses are classified as Class A felonies in Tennessee, as defined in the Tennessee Code Annotated.
Examples include:
- Second-degree murder: This involves a knowing killing or a death from the unlawful distribution of certain controlled substances (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-210).5Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 39-13-210 (2024) – Second Degree Murder
- Aggravated rape: This involves intentional sexual penetration by force, coercion, or when the victim is incapacitated or a child, with aggravating factors like serious bodily injury or use of a deadly weapon.
- Aggravated kidnapping: This elevates kidnapping by adding elements like holding a victim for ransom or inflicting serious bodily injury (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-304).
- Especially aggravated robbery: This involves theft by violence or fear with a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injury.
These offenses involve extreme violence, significant harm, or a profound disregard for human life.
Collateral Consequences
A Class A felony conviction in Tennessee has lasting consequences beyond prison sentences, affecting civil rights, employment, housing, and public benefits.
Conviction results in the loss of civil rights: offenders are deemed infamous under Tennessee law, losing the right to vote, hold public office, or serve on a jury. Firearm possession is also heavily restricted (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-1307), prohibiting handgun possession for any felony, and all firearms for felonies involving force, violence, deadly weapons, or drugs.6Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 39-17-1307 (2024) – Unlawful Carrying or Possession of a Weapon
Restoring these rights is complex. Voting rights restoration requires completing the sentence, paying restitution and costs, being current on child support, and may require a court order.7Tennessee Secretary of State. Restoration of Voting Rights Some serious felonies can lead to permanent loss of voting rights.
Employment and professional licensing face significant hurdles. Licensing boards can deny or revoke licenses if a conviction relates to professional fitness, and some laws bar felons from certain fields. Securing housing is difficult, as landlords and public housing authorities conduct background checks, though federal guidance advises against automatic rejections.8Federal Register. Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing
Eligibility for public benefits can change. For instance, certain drug convictions may affect SNAP or TANF (Families First) eligibility, with specific restrictions for Class A drug felonies. A felony for malfeasance in office can result in losing public retirement benefits.
Possible Sentence Enhancements
Courts in Tennessee can increase a Class A felony sentence using various enhancement factors listed in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-35-114.9Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 40-35-114 (2024) – Enhancement Factors A court considers these factors if relevant and not already part of the crime, determining the weight of each.
Circumstances of the offense that can lead to enhancements include:
- The defendant was a leader in a crime involving multiple people.
- The offense involved multiple victims or a particularly vulnerable victim.
- Severe personal injury or property damage was inflicted.
- The victim was treated with exceptional cruelty.
- A firearm or deadly weapon was used or possessed (unless it’s an element of the felony).
Other factors related to the defendant’s status or actions can also increase sentences:
- Committing the felony while on bail or parole.
- Abusing a position of public or private trust.
- Having a prior felony conviction that resulted in death or serious bodily injury to another.
- Intentionally selecting a victim based on their race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry.
- Committing the offense on school property or grounds when minors were present.
- The offense was an act of terrorism.
- The defendant has a juvenile record of committing acts that would be felonies if committed by an adult.
Courts must state on record the enhancement factors used and their reasoning.
Post-Conviction Relief Options
After exhausting direct appeals for a Class A felony conviction in Tennessee, individuals can seek post-conviction relief. These proceedings, governed by the Tennessee Post-Conviction Procedure Act (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-30-101), address issues not raised during the trial or initial appeal.
Petitioners must demonstrate that their conviction or sentence is invalid due to a violation of state or federal constitutional rights. Common grounds include ineffective legal representation, prosecutorial misconduct, coerced confessions, or new evidence that could have changed the trial’s outcome.
Strict procedural rules apply. A petition must be filed within one year of the conviction becoming final (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-30-102); missing this deadline bars the petition.10Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 40-30-102 (2024) – When Prisoners May Petition for Post-Conviction Relief It must be filed in the court of conviction and clearly state all grounds. Indigent petitioners have a right to appointed counsel. The state will respond, and an evidentiary hearing may be held.
If the court finds a constitutional violation, relief can include a new trial, a vacated conviction, or a modified sentence. Denials of post-conviction relief can be appealed. This process is a separate civil action where the petitioner must prove their claims by clear and convincing evidence.