Felony in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Tennessee defines felonies as crimes with sentences exceeding one year, with capital murder remaining a capital felony.
How Tennessee treats Felony
Tennessee classifies felonies into four categories based on sentence length, with Class A felonies carrying sentences of 15 to 60 years or life. Capital murder is the only offense eligible for the death penalty in Tennessee. Felony convictions trigger mandatory loss of certain civil rights, including voting rights during incarceration and firearm restrictions.
The general definition of Felony
A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.
A felony is the most serious category of crime in the US criminal system. The key distinction is punishment: if a conviction can result in more than one year of imprisonment, it's a felony. Felonies include crimes like murder, rape, robbery, and drug trafficking. A felony conviction carries long-term consequences, including loss of voting rights, gun ownership restrictions, and difficulty finding employment.
Read the full Felony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.