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TCA 39-15-101

Nonsupport and flagrant nonsupport

MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

It is illegal for a parent or spouse to fail to provide financial support, food, shelter, clothing, or medical care to a minor child or disabled spouse when the person is able to do so and knows they have a legal duty—this is nonsupport, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. Nonsupport becomes the more serious crime of "flagrant nonsupport" (a Class E felony punishable by 1–6 years in prison) if the person leaves the state to avoid support obligations or has been convicted of nonsupport before.

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 E felony, Class E felony
(a) A person commits the crime of nonsupport who fails to provide support which that person is able to provide and knows the person has a duty to provide to a minor child or to a child or spouse who, because of physical or mental disability, is unable to be self-supporting. (b) “Child” includes legitimate children and children whose parentage has been admitted by the person charged or established by judicial action. (c) “Support” includes, but is not limited to, financial assistance, food, shelter, clothing, medical attention or, if determined elsewhere by law, other necessary care. (d) A person commits the offense of flagrant nonsupport who: (1) Leaves or remains without the state to avoid a legal duty of support; or (2) Having been convicted one (1) or more times of nonsupport or flagrant nonsupport, is convicted of a subsequent offense under this section. (e) (1) Nonsupport under subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. (2) Flagrant nonsupport under subsection (d) is a Class E felony.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-15-101
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500
Recent Bookings8+

Geographic Distribution

Hamilton
59
Houston
42
McMinn
41
Hamblen
14
Carter
10
Carroll
10
Wayne
9
Washington
9
Bradley
9
Sevier
6
Warren
4
McNairy
2

+ 12 more counties