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TCA 39-13-103

Reckless endangerment

MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

Reckless endangerment is when someone acts recklessly in a way that puts another person in immediate danger of death or serious injury. This happens when a person is aware of a serious risk but ignores it anyway—for example, firing a gun into a crowd or driving dangerously fast through a populated area. A basic conviction is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500. The offense is enhanced to a Class E, D, or C felony (1-15 years in prison) if the reckless conduct involves using a deadly weapon or firearm.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass A Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail11 months 29 days
Maximum Fine$2,500
Penalty SummaryClass A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500
Enhancement NotesBase: Class A misdemeanor. Enhanced to: Class C felony, Class D felony, Class E felony, Class E felony, Class C felony, Class D felony, Class C felony
(a) A person commits an offense who recklessly engages in conduct that places or may place another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. (A) Any firearm, including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system, manufactured in or before the year 1898. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Bodily injury: includes a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn or disfigurement, and physical pain or temporary illness or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Deadly weapon: means :(A) A firearm or anything manifestly designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Person: includes the singular and the plural and means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, or other organization or other legal entity, or any agent or servant thereof. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Reckless: means that a person acts recklessly with respect to circumstances surrounding the conduct or the result of the conduct when the person is aware of, but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist or the result will occur. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106(b) (1) Reckless endangerment is a Class A misdemeanor. (2) Reckless endangerment committed with a deadly weapon is a Class E felony. (3) Reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a habitation, as defined under § 39-14-401, is a Class C felony, unless the habitation was unoccupied at the time of the offense, in which event it is a Class D felony. (4) Reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle, as defined by § 55-1-103, is a Class C felony. (5) In addition to the penalty authorized by this subsection (b), the court shall assess a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) to be collected as provided in § 55-10-412(b) and distributed as provided in § 55-10-412(c).
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-13-103
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500
Recent Bookings8+

Geographic Distribution

Davidson
143
Knox
64
Shelby
54
Hamilton
47
Blount
37
Putnam
36
Anderson
27
Campbell
21
Sevier
20
Sullivan
15
McMinn
15
Wayne
12

+ 27 more counties