Tennessee § 39-13-307 - Involuntary labor servitude — Restitution.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-307 — Involuntary labor servitude — Restitution., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 39-13-307. Involuntary labor servitude — Restitution.

A person commits the offense of involuntary labor servitude who knowingly subjects, or attempts to subject, another person to forced labor or services by: Causing or threatening to cause serious bodily harm to the person; Physically restraining or threatening to physically restrain the person; Abusing or threatening to abuse the law or legal process; Knowingly destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating or possessing any actual or purported passport or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document, of the person; Using blackmail or using or threatening to cause financial harm for the purpose of exercising financial control over the person; Facilitating or controlling the person's access to an addictive controlled substance; or Controlling the person's movements through threats or violence. In addition to any other amount of loss identified or any other punishment imposed, the court shall order restitution to the victim or victims in an amount equal to the greater of: The gross income or value to the defendant of the victim's labor or services; or The value of the victim's labor as guaranteed under the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), or the minimum wage required in this state, whichever is higher. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the defendant from also being prosecuted for the theft of the victim's labor or services by involuntary servitude or for any other appropriate criminal statute violated by the defendant's conduct. Involuntary servitude is a Class C felony. Involuntary servitude is a Class B felony if: The violation resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of a victim; The period of time during which the victim was held in servitude exceeded one (1) year; The defendant held ten (10) or more victims in servitude at any time during the course of the defendant's criminal episode; or The victim was under thirteen (13) years of age. Acts 2008, ch. 1140, § 3; 2012, ch. 1074, §§ 1-3. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2008, ch. 1140, § 1 provided that the act shall be known and may be cited as the “Tennessee Human Trafficking Act of 2007.” Cross-References. Penalties for Class B and C felonies, § 40-35-111 . Law Reviews. Two Crimes for the Price of One: The Problem with Kidnapping Statutes in Tennessee and Beyond (Melanie A. Prince), 76 Tenn. L. Rev. 789 (2009).

Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 39-13-307

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-307 cover?

Section 39-13-307 ("Involuntary labor servitude — Restitution.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Tennessee § 39-13-307?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-307" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Tennessee law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.

How does Tennessee § 39-13-307 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.