2018 Tennessee Code
Title 39 - Criminal Offenses
Chapter 11 - General Provisions
Part 1 - Construction
§ 39-11-103. Territorial jurisdiction.

Universal Citation: TN Code § 39-11-103 (2018)
  • (a) Every person, whether an inhabitant of this or any other state or country, is liable to punishment by the laws of this state, for an offense committed in this state, except where it is by law cognizable exclusively in the courts of the United States.

  • (b)

    • (1) When an offense is commenced outside of this state and consummated in this state, the person committing the offense is liable for punishment in this state in the county in which the offense was consummated, unless otherwise provided by statute.

    • (2) It is no defense that the person charged with the offense was outside of this state when the offense was consummated, if the person used:

      • (A) An innocent or guilty agent; or

      • (B) Other means proceeding directly from the person.

  • (c) When the commission of an offense commenced within this state is consummated outside of its boundaries, the offender is liable to punishment in this state in the county where the offense was commenced.

  • (d) If one (1) or more elements of an offense are committed in one (1) county and one (1) or more elements in another, the offense may be prosecuted in either county. Offenses committed on the boundary of two (2) or more counties may be prosecuted in either county.

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