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2020 Tennessee Code
Title 39 - Criminal Offenses
Chapter 11 - General Provisions
Part 6 - Justification Excluding Criminal Responsibility
§ 39-11-610. Public Duty
Universal Citation: TN Code § 39-11-610 (2020)
- Except as qualified by subsections (b) and (c), conduct is justified if the person reasonably believes the conduct is required or authorized by law, by the judgment or order of a competent court or other tribunal, or in the execution of legal process.
- The following sections of this part control:
- When force is threatened or used against a person to protect persons, pursuant to §§ 39-11-611 — 39-11-613;
- To protect property, pursuant to §§ 39-11-614 — 39-11-616; or
- For law enforcement, pursuant to § 39-11-620.
- The justification afforded by this section is available if:
- The person reasonably believes the court or tribunal has jurisdiction or the process is lawful, even though the court or tribunal lacks jurisdiction or the process is unlawful; or
- The person reasonably believes the conduct is required or authorized to assist a public servant in the performance of the public servant's official duty, even though the public servant exceeds the public servant's lawful authority.
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