Tennessee § 40-39-208 - Violations — Penalty — Venue — Providing records for prosecution.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-39-208 — Violations — Penalty — Venue — Providing records for prosecution., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 40-39-208. Violations — Penalty — Venue — Providing records for prosecution.
It is an offense for an offender to knowingly violate any provision of this part. Violations shall include, but not be limited to: Failure of an offender to timely register or report; Falsification of a TBI registration form; Failure to timely disclose required information to the designated law enforcement agency; Failure to sign a TBI registration form; Failure to pay the annual administrative costs, if financially able; Failure to timely disclose status as a sexual offender or violent sexual offender to the designated law enforcement agency upon reincarceration; Failure to timely report to the designated law enforcement agency upon release after reincarceration; Failure to timely report to the designated law enforcement agency following reentry in this state after deportation; Failure to timely report to the offender's designated law enforcement agency when the offender moves to another state; and Conviction of a new sexual offense, violent sexual offense, or violent juvenile sexual offense. A violation of this part is a Class E felony. No person violating this part shall be eligible for suspension of sentence, diversion or probation until the minimum sentence is served in its entirety. The first violation of this part is punishable by a fine of not less than three hundred fifty dollars ($350) and imprisonment for not less than ninety (90) days. A second violation of this part is punishable by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars ($600) and imprisonment for not less than one hundred eighty (180) days. A third or subsequent violation of this part is punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) and imprisonment for not less than one (1) year. A violation of this part is a continuing offense. If an offender is required to register pursuant to this part, venue lies in any county in which the offender may be found or in any county where the violation occurred. In a prosecution for a violation of this section, upon the request of a district attorney general, law enforcement agency, the department of correction or its officers or a court of competent jurisdiction and for any lawful purpose permitted by this part, the records custodian of SOR shall provide the requesting agency with certified copies of specified records being maintained in the registry. The records custodian providing copies of records to a requesting agency, pursuant to subsection (g), shall attach the following certification: I, , HAVING BEEN APPOINTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AS CUSTODIAN OF THE BUREAU'S CENTRALIZED RECORDS SYSTEM OF SEXUAL AND VIOLENT SEXUAL OFFENDERS, REGISTRATION, VERIFICATION AND TRACKING INFORMATION (SOR), HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE RECORDS MAINTAINED WITHIN SAID REGISTRY. SIGNATURE TITLE DATE AFFIX THE BUREAU SEAL HERE Sexual offender, violent sexual offender and violent juvenile sexual offender registry files and records maintained by the TBI may be digitized. A digitized copy of any original file or record in the TBI's possession shall be deemed to be an original for all purposes, including introduction into evidence in all courts or administrative agencies. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a violent juvenile sexual offender who knowingly violates this part commits a delinquent act as defined by the juvenile code. Acts 2004, ch. 921, § 1; 2005, ch. 316, § 1; 2006, ch. 890, § 19; 2008, ch. 1164, § 8; 2009, ch. 145, § 1; 2011, ch. 483, §§ 16, 17; 2012, ch. 727, § 49; 2019, ch. 232, § 1. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2004, ch. 921, § 3 provided that, if the provisions of that act are declared to be invalid, the provisions of former part 1 (§§ 40-39-101 — 40-39-111 ), as such part existed on July 31, 2004, shall be revived and take full force and effect; and further provided that: “It is the intent of the general assembly that, if this act is declared invalid, the prior law shall immediately govern and regulate the registration, verification and tracking of sexual offenders in this state.” Acts 2004, ch. 921, § 4 provided that all sexual offenders who were, prior to August 1, 2004, subject to the provisions of title 40, chapter 39, part 1, shall, on and after August 1, 2004, be subject to the provisions of title 40, chapter 39, part 2, created by that act. Acts 2005, ch. 316, § 2 provided that, if the provisions of that act are declared to be invalid, the provisions of title 40, chapter 39, part 1, as such part existed on July 31, 2004, shall be revived and take full force and effect. It is the intent of the General Assembly that, if this act is declared invalid, the prior law shall immediately govern and regulate the registration, verification and tracking of sexual offenders in this state. For the Preamble to the act concerning the transfer of certain functions relating to probation and parole services and the community correction grant program from the board of probation and parole to the department of correction, please refer to Acts 2012, ch. 727. Acts 2012, ch. 727, § 63 provided that the implementation of the act, which amended subsection (g), shall be fully accomplished on or before January 1, 2013. Amendments. The 2019 amendment added (a)(10). Effective Dates. Acts 2019, ch. 232, § 2. July 1, 2019. Cross-References. Delinquent act under juvenile code, § 37-1-102 . Penalty for Class E felony, § 40-35-111 . Probation, paroles and pardons, title 40, ch. 28.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 40-39-208
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-39-208 cover?
Section 40-39-208 ("Violations — Penalty — Venue — Providing records for prosecution.") 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 § 40-39-208?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-39-208" (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 § 40-39-208 apply to my situation?
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