How Are Property Crimes Charged in Tennessee?

In general, burglary, theft, fraud, embezzlement, vandalism, shoplifting, and other destruction of property crimes are charged based on the value of the property or services that were damaged or stolen. Based on this amount, the crime can be classified as either a misdemeanor or theft. Possible charges for these types of property crimes include:

• Class A Misdemeanor – If the value of the property or service is $1,000 or less. You may face up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. 
• Class E Felony – If the value of the property or service is between $1,000 and $2,500, or is a firearm worth $2,500 or less. You may face one to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
• Class D Felony – If the value of the property or service is between $2,500 and $10,000. You may face two to 12 years in prison and a fine of $5,000.
• Class C Felony – If the value of the property or service is between $10,000 and $60,000. You may face three to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Class B Felony – If the value of the property or service is between $60,000 and $250,000. You may face eight to 30 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
• Class A Felony – If the value of the property or service is greater than $250,000. You may face 15 to 60 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Depending on the value of the stolen property or service, it’s possible to receive an alternative or enhanced sentence. You might be able to obtain an alternative sentence if you’re facing a Class A misdemeanor. 

This means you may have to pay a fine, pay restitution to the victim to compensate for their losses, serve probation under a suspended sentence, or serve a work release sentence.

If the property crime is more on the severe end, then it’s possible you could receive an enhanced sentence. These sentences are based on whether you’re a repeat offender and, if so, how many times you’ve committed the crime. 

Enhanced imprisonment sentences are toward the upper end of the prison terms listed above. So for a Class A felony, a repeat or career offender could expect to serve the full 60 years in prison.

Money Laundering

Depending on the situation, money laundering in Tennessee can be considered either a Class E or Class B Felony. Class B felonies are punishable by eight to 30 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Class E felonies are punishable by a $5,000 fine and forfeiture of the stolen assets.

Extortion

In Tennessee, extortion is considered a Class D felony. It’s punishable by two to 12 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Arson

In Tennessee, the punishment for arson varies depending on the severity and location of the crime. In general, arson is charged as a Class C felony, which is punishable by three to fifteen years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

If the arson took place at a place of worship, it’s classified as a Class B felony. In this case, the punishment is a range of eight to 30 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.

In addition, an arson charge can qualify as aggravated arson. An arson is considered an aggravated arson when people are present on the property while the arson is committed, or if anyone on the property is injured as a result of the crime, including firefighters and police officers. 

Aggravated arsons are considered Class A felonies, punishable by fifteen to sixty years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines.