Starting July 1st, 2024 repeat offenders face stiffer penalties in Tennessee.
A new law creates a Class E felony offense for being a three to five time repeat offender of 37 different misdemeanor offenses. After five or more convictions of qualifying misdemeanors in the past ten years, the offender will be subject to a class E felony charge at the discretion of a judge. A Class E felony is punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000. After three or more convictions of certain repeat violent offenses, such as domestic assault and child neglect, the third or subsequent conviction could be raised from a class D misdemeanor to a class E felony.