TCA 39-17-911
Sale, loan or exhibition of material to minors
MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
It is illegal to knowingly sell, loan, or show to a minor any sexually explicit, violent, or inappropriate material (pictures, videos, books, magazines, or sound recordings) or to let a minor into an adult show that contains such material. This is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500; however, it is a legal defense if a parent or authorized adult was present with the minor.
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) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly sell or loan for monetary consideration or otherwise exhibit or make available to a minor: (1) Any picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film, video game, computer software game, or similar visual representation or image of a person or portion of the human body, that depicts nudity, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sado-masochistic abuse, and that is harmful to minors; or (2) Any book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter, however reproduced, or sound recording, which contains any matter enumerated in subdivision (a)(1), or that contains explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sado-masochistic abuse, and that is harmful to minors. (b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly exhibit to a minor for monetary consideration, or to knowingly sell to a minor an admission ticket or pass or otherwise admit a minor to premises whereon there is exhibited a motion picture, show or other presentation which, in whole or in part, depicts nudity, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sado-masochistic abuse, and which is harmful to minors. (c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the minor to whom the material or show was made available or exhibited was, at the time, accompanied by the person’s parent or legal guardian, or by an adult with the written permission of the parent or legal guardian.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Recent Bookings with this Charge
View allQuick Facts
MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-17-911
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500
Recent Bookings1+
Geographic Distribution
Blount1