TCA 39-16-517
Threat of mass violence on school property or at school-related activity
What does this charge mean?
It is illegal to threaten mass violence on school property or at school events in a way that a reasonable person would believe could cause serious bodily injury, knowing the threat is unfounded and made to terrorize, evacuate, or close the school. A conviction is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to $500 in fines; if the threat specifically involves mass shooting or a weapon, it is enhanced to a Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months and 29 days in jail).
Penalty Details
(a) As used in this section: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.Person: 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 39-11-106Property: means anything of value, including, but not limited to, money, real estate, tangible or intangible personal property, including anything severed from land, library material, contract rights, choses-in-action, interests in or claims to wealth, credit, admission or transportation tickets, captured or domestic animals, food and drink, electric or other power. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105(1) “Mass violence” means any act which a reasonable person would conclude could lead to the serious bodily injury, as defined in § 39-11-106, or the death of two (2) or more persons; (2) “Means of communication” means direct and indirect verbal, written, or electronic communications, including graffiti, pictures, diagrams, telephone calls, voice over internet protocol calls, video messages, voice mails, electronic mail, social media posts, instant messages, chat group posts, text messages, and any other recognized means of conveying information; (3) “School” means any public or private elementary school, middle school, high school, college of applied technology, postsecondary vocational or technical school, or two-year or four-year college or university; and (4) “School property” means any school building or bus, school campus, grounds, recreational area, athletic field, or other property owned, used, or operated by any local education agency, private school board of trustees, or directors for the administration of any school. (b) A person who recklessly, by any means of communication, threatens to commit an act of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity commits a Class A misdemeanor. (c) As a condition of bail or other pretrial release, the court may, in its discretion, order the defendant to undergo an evaluation, under § 33-7-301, to determine whether the defendant poses a substantial likelihood of serious harm to the person or others. (d) (1) Any person who has knowledge of a threat of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity shall report the threat immediately to: (A) The local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the school property or school-related activity; and (B) The school that is subject to the threat of mass violence. (2) The report must include, to the extent known by the reporter, the nature of the threat of mass violence, the name and address of the person making the threat, the facts requiring the report, and any other pertinent information. (3) Any person who has knowledge of a threat of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity and knowingly fails to report the threat commits a Class B misdemeanor. (e) In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, a sentencing court may order a person convicted under subsection (b) to pay restitution, including costs and damages resulting from the disruption of the normal activity that would have otherwise occurred on the school property or at the school-related activity but for the threat to commit an act of mass violence.
Recent Bookings with this Charge
View allKeith Burton
Shelby Co. · Feb 19, 2026
Isaac Anderson
Fayette Co. · Feb 17, 2026
Isaac Anderson
Fayette Co. · Feb 17, 2026
Julie Munoz
Fayette Co. · Feb 10, 2026
Teri Gamble
Fayette Co. · Feb 7, 2026
Romello Jordan
Fayette Co. · Jan 21, 2026
Romello Jordan
Fayette Co. · Jan 21, 2026
Romello Jordan
Fayette Co. · Jan 21, 2026