Tennessee § 40-20-103 - Place of confinement.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-20-103 — Place of confinement., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 40-20-103. Place of confinement.
In no case shall any person convicted of a felony be confined in the penitentiary for less than twelve (12) months. Whenever the minimum punishment is imprisonment in the penitentiary for one (1) year, but in the opinion of the jury the offense merits a lesser punishment, the jury may punish by confinement in the county jail or workhouse for any period less than twelve (12) months, except as otherwise provided. In counties of this state having a population in excess of six hundred thousand (600,000), according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census, in all cases where a person is convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or otherwise punished by confinement, the punishment by confinement will be served by imprisonment in a state penitentiary or county workhouse; provided, however, that in cases where trusty status is desired of the prisoner and is mutually agreed upon by both the sheriff of that county and the trial judge, sentence to the county jail would be allowed to the exclusion of any other statutory law or common law now in effect. Acts 1859-1860, ch. 63; Shan., § 7206; mod. Code 1932, § 10754; Acts 1980, ch. 694, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 40-2703. Compiler's Notes. For tables of U.S. decennial populations of Tennessee counties, see Volume 13 and its supplement. Cross-References. Sentence to portable or stationary workhouse, § 41-2-103 . Sentence to workhouse, § 41-2-111 . Sentence to workhouse in lieu of jail, § 41-2-113 . Youth development centers, title 37, ch. 5, part 2. Textbooks. Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure (Raybin), §§ 25.62, 32.121, 32.132, 38.202. Law Reviews. Criminal Law and Procedure — 1960 Tennessee Survey (Robert E. Kendrick), 13 Vand. L. Rev. 1059.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 40-20-103
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-20-103 cover?
Section 40-20-103 ("Place of confinement.") 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 § 40-20-103?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-20-103" (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 § 40-20-103 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.