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TCA 39-13-502

Aggravated rape

FELONY AClass A Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

Aggravated rape is forcing someone into sexual penetration while armed with a weapon, or causing bodily injury, or with help from other people using force—the most serious rape offense. This is charged when rape occurs with additional dangerous circumstances such as weapons, injuries to the victim, or multiple attackers. Conviction carries 15 to 60 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass A Felony
Maximum Jail15-60 years
Maximum Fine$50,000
Penalty SummaryClass A felony; 15-60 years; fine up to $50,000
(a) Aggravated rape is unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or the defendant by a victim accompanied by any of the following circumstances: (A) Commit any offense. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.Defendant: means a person accused of an offense under this title and includes any person who aids or abets the commission of such offense. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Force: means compulsion by the use of physical power or violence and shall be broadly construed to accomplish the purposes of this title. 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 39-11-106(1) Force or coercion is used to accomplish the act and the defendant is armed with a weapon or any article used or fashioned in a manner to lead the victim reasonably to believe it to be a weapon; (2) The defendant causes bodily injury to the victim; (3) The defendant is aided or abetted by one (1) or more other persons; and (A) Force or coercion is used to accomplish the act; or (B) The defendant knows or has reason to know that the victim is: (i) Mentally defective; (ii) Mentally incapacitated; (iii) Physically helpless; or (iv) A vulnerable adult, as defined in § 39-15-501, with an intellectual disability. (b) (1)Aggravated rape is a Class A felony. (2) Notwithstanding title 40, chapter 35, a person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished as a Range II offender; however, the sentence imposed upon such person may, if appropriate, be within Range III but in no case shall it be lower than Range II.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

FELONY A
TCA Section39-13-502
Max Jail15-60 years
Max Fine$50,000
Recent Bookings8+

Geographic Distribution

Lauderdale
17
Hickman
15
Anderson
14
Davidson
12
Knox
10
Bledsoe
10
Wayne
9
Lawrence
8
Loudon
7
Fayette
7
Jackson
6
Johnson
5

+ 67 more counties