Tennessee § 39-17-301 - Part definitions.

§ 39-17-301. Part definitions.

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: “Desecrate” means defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise physically mistreating in a way that the person knows or should know will outrage the sensibilities of an ordinary individual likely to observe or discover the person's action; “Participates” includes: Joining a group of three (3) or more persons who riot; Aiding and abetting a riot; or Refusing any lawful order of correctional personnel or other law enforcement officers during the course of a riot; “Riot” means a disturbance in a public place or penal institution as defined in § 39-16-601 involving an assemblage of three (3) or more persons whether or not participating in any otherwise lawful activity, which, by tumultuous and violent conduct, creates grave danger of substantial damage to property or serious bodily injury to persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental function; and “Transportation facility” means any conveyance or place used for or in connection with public passenger transportation by air, railroad, motor vehicle or any other method. It includes, but is not limited to, aircraft, watercraft, railroad cars, buses, and air, boat, railroad and bus terminals and stations. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1030, § 29; 1999, ch. 350, § 1; 2014, ch. 982, § 3; 2020 (2nd Ex. Sess.), ch. 3, §§ 9, 10. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2014, ch. 982, § 5 provided that the act shall apply only to all offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2014. For the Preamble to the act concerning a uniform framework of laws that will protect the rights of all Tennesseans to peacefully demonstrate, see Acts 2020 (2nd Ex. Sess.), ch. 3. 2020 (2nd Ex. Sess.), ch. 3, § 26 provided that the act, which amended this section, applies to offenses committed after August 20, 2020. Amendments. The 2020 (2nd Ex. Sess.) amendment by ch. 3 substituted “Joining” for “Assembling with or joining” in (2)(A); and deleted “Being present,” at the beginning of (2)(B). Effective Dates. Acts 2020 (2nd Ex. Sess.), ch. 3, § 26. August 20, 2020. Cross-References. Aggravated riot, § 39-17-303 . Law Reviews. Criminal Law in Tennessee in 1970 — A Critical Survey (Joseph G. Cook), 38 Tenn. L. Rev. 182 (1971). Less Than Picture Perfect: The Legal Relationship Between Photographers' Rights And Law Enforcement, 78 Tenn. L. Rev. 105 (2010).