TCA 65-21-112
Failure to relinquish telephone line for emergency call
MISDEMEANOR CClass C Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
Failure to relinquish telephone line for emergency call — Class C misdemeanor. Up to 30 days in jail and $50 fine. Penalty may be enhanced for prior offenses or aggravating factors.
Penalty Details
ClassificationClass C Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail30 days
Maximum Fine$50
Penalty SummaryClass C misdemeanor; 30 days; fine up to $50
(a) Any person who fails to relinquish a telephone party line or a public pay telephone after having been requested to do so to permit another to place an emergency call to a fire department or police department, or for medical aid or ambulance service, commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the accused did not know or did not have reason to know of the emergency in question, or that the accused was also using the telephone party line or public pay telephone for such an emergency call. (c) Any person who requests another to relinquish a telephone party line or a public pay telephone on the pretext that such person must place an emergency call, knowing such pretext to be false, commits a Class C misdemeanor. (d) Every telephone company doing business in this state shall print a statement of the substance of this section in a permanent place in each telephone directory published by it.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 26, 2026
Quick Facts
MISDEMEANOR C
TCA Section65-21-112
Max Jail30 days
Max Fine$50