Tennessee § 8-8-221 - Sheriffs to regulate incarcerations in county jails and to register persons acting as law enforcement officers.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-8-221 — Sheriffs to regulate incarcerations in county jails and to register persons acting as law enforcement officers., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8-8-221. Sheriffs to regulate incarcerations in county jails and to register persons acting as law enforcement officers.

The sheriff of each county shall establish regulations governing the acceptance of persons, other than state prisoners, for incarceration in the county jail. Except for state prisoners held in the county jail, no person shall be incarcerated in the county jail without the approval of the sheriff, or the sheriff's designee, subject to approval of the court having criminal jurisdiction over the sheriff's jurisdiction, as provided by regulation. Except for duly commissioned state and municipal law enforcement officers, no person shall go armed for law enforcement purposes, carry or display a badge or other card or device purporting to identify that person as an officer of the law, wear any uniform or distinctive clothing purporting to identify that person as an officer of law, or mark any motor vehicle so as to identify it as a law enforcement vehicle, or its driver as a law enforcement officer, without registering each and any of these acts with the sheriff of the county in which such acts take place, and complying with reasonable regulations established by the sheriff to properly and consistently identify all persons in that county exercising law enforcement powers. This section applies only to counties having a population of not less than nine thousand (9,000) nor more than nine thousand, one hundred (9,100), according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census, and to counties having a population of not less than seven hundred seventy thousand (770,000) nor more than seven hundred eighty thousand (780,000), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. Acts 1980, ch. 917, §§ 2-5; 1988, ch. 791, § 1. Compiler's Notes. For table of U.S. decennial populations of Tennessee counties, see Volume 13 and its supplement.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 8-8-221

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-8-221 cover?

Section 8-8-221 ("Sheriffs to regulate incarcerations in county jails and to register persons acting as law enforcement officers.") 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 § 8-8-221?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-8-221" (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 § 8-8-221 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.