Tennessee § 39-13-514 - Patronizing prostitution — Unacceptable defenses.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-514 — Patronizing prostitution — Unacceptable defenses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 39-13-514. Patronizing prostitution — Unacceptable defenses.

A person commits an offense under this section: Who patronizes prostitution; or When a person patronizes prostitution where the subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer or a law enforcement officer eighteen (18) years of age or older posing as a minor. Patronizing prostitution is a Class A misdemeanor. Patronizing prostitution within one and one-half (1.5) miles of a school shall, in addition to any other authorized punishment, be punished by no less than seven (7) days of incarceration and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000). Patronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age or has an intellectual disability is punishable as trafficking for commercial sex acts under § 39-13-309. Nothing in this subdivision (b)(3) shall be construed as prohibiting prosecution under any other applicable law. As used in subsection (b), “school” means all public and private schools that conduct classes in any grade from kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12). It is not a defense to a violation of this section that: The subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer; The victim of the offense is a minor and consented to the offense; or The solicitation was unsuccessful, the conduct solicited was not engaged in, or the law enforcement officer could not engage in the solicited offense. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1995, ch. 118, § 2; 2011, ch. 377, § 2; 2014, ch. 957, §§ 1, 2; 2017, ch. 169, § 1; 2019, ch. 123, §§ 3, 4. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2011, ch. 377, § 5 provided that the act, which added subdivision (b)(4) [now (b)(3)], shall apply to any acts committed on or after June 1, 2011. Amendments. The 2019 amendment added (a)(2) and (d)(3). Effective Dates. Acts 2019, ch. 123, § 7. July 1, 2019. Cross-References. Definitions, § 39-13-512 . Penalties for Class A misdemeanors, § 40-35-111 . Law Reviews. Using Commercial Driver Licensing Authority to Combat Human Trafficking Related Crimes on America’s Highways (Alicia Wilson), 43 U. Mem. L. Rev. 969 (2013).

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 39-13-514

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-514 cover?

Section 39-13-514 ("Patronizing prostitution — Unacceptable defenses.") 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 § 39-13-514?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-514" (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 § 39-13-514 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.