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TCA 39-16-202

Warden or chief administrative officer’s duty to report offenses – Violation

MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

A prison warden or chief administrator who learns that certain serious crimes have occurred inside the prison (such as murder, rape, assault, or sexual abuse) must report it to the district attorney within five business days. Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.

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
(a) (1) A warden or chief administrative officer employed by a penal institution, as defined in § 39-16-601, or the warden or administrative officer’s designee, who knows that an offense enumerated in subdivision (a)(2) has occurred within the penal institution shall report the offense to the district attorney general for the judicial district in which the penal institution is located and the district attorney general who prosecuted the offense for which the offender is incarcerated within five (5) business days of becoming aware of the offense being committed. (2) Subdivision (a)(1) applies to the following offenses: (A) Aggravated assault, as defined in § 39-13-102; (B) First degree murder, as defined in § 39-13-202; (C) Second degree murder, as defined in § 39-13-210; (D) Voluntary manslaughter, as defined in § 39-13-211; (E) Criminally negligent homicide, as defined in § 39-13-212; (F) Aggravated rape, as defined in § 39-13-502; (G) Rape, as defined in § 39-13-503; (H) Aggravated sexual battery, as defined in § 39-13-504; (I) Sexual battery, as defined in § 39-13-505; and (J) Indecent exposure, as defined in § 39-13-511(c). (b) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-16-202
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500