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TCA 39-15-302

Incest

FELONY CClass C Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

Engaging in sexual penetration with a close blood relative or family member (including parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, step-relations, or adoptive relations, or siblings) is incest. The penalty is 3-15 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. If the victim is a minor, the offense is elevated to a Class B felony with a mandatory minimum Range II sentence (8-30 years), though sentencing can go higher into Range III if appropriate.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass C Felony
Maximum Jail3-15 years
Maximum Fine$10,000
Penalty SummaryClass C felony; 3-15 years; fine up to $10,000
Enhancement NotesMultiple classifications: Class B felony, Class C felony
(a) A person commits incest who engages in sexual penetration as defined in § 39-13-501, with a person, knowing the person to be, without regard to legitimacy: (1) The person’s natural parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, stepparent, stepchild, adoptive parent, adoptive child; or (2) The person’s brother or sister of the whole or half-blood or by adoption. (b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(2), incest is a Class C felony. (2) If the victim of the offense is a minor, incest is a Class B felony and, notwithstanding title 40, chapter 35, the defendant shall be punished as a Range II offender; however, the sentence imposed upon the defendant 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 C
TCA Section39-15-302
Max Jail3-15 years
Max Fine$10,000
Recent Bookings8+

Geographic Distribution

Davidson
14
Giles
6
Campbell
4
Anderson
4
Lawrence
3
Blount
3
Williamson
2
Weakley
2
Wayne
2
Sequatchie
2
Polk
2
Perry
2

+ 27 more counties