Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Tennessee
Tennessee grades felonies as Class A through E and misdemeanors as Class A through C. A felony with no class named is a Class E felony, and a misdemeanor with no class named is a Class A misdemeanor.1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Tennessee's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Tennessee, a felony is a violation of law that may be punished by one year or more of confinement, or by death. A violation punishable by a fine or by confinement of less than one year is a misdemeanor.1
- Felony theft starts at
- More than $1,000How theft is graded
- When a DUI is a felony
- A fourth DUI conviction is a felony, sentenced in the Class E felony range with at least 150 days to serve. A fifth is sentenced as a Class D felony and a sixth or later as a Class C felony.2
Felony classes in Tennessee
From most to least serious: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A felony | 15 to 60 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute." | Up to $50,000 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)4 |
| Class B felony | 8 to 30 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute." | Up to $25,000 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)4 |
| Class C felony | 3 to 15 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute." | Up to $10,000 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)4 |
| Class D felony | 2 to 12 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute." | Up to $5,000 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)4 |
| Class E felony | 1 to 6 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute." | Up to $3,000 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)4 |
Misdemeanor classes in Tennessee
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | Up to 11 months and 29 daysThe court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both. | Up to $2,500 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)4 |
| Class B misdemeanor | Up to 6 monthsThe court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both. | Up to $500 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)4 |
| Class C misdemeanor | Up to 30 daysThe court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both. | Up to $50 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)4 |
Good to know
An offense called a felony without a class is a Class E felony. An offense called a misdemeanor without a class is a Class A misdemeanor.3
The ranges are the general ones. Many offenses set a different penalty "unless otherwise provided by statute."4
When theft is a felony in Tennessee
Theft of property or services worth more than $1,000 is a felony. It is a Class E felony from over $1,000 to under $2,500, Class D from $2,500 to under $10,000, Class C from $10,000 to under $60,000, Class B from $60,000 to under $250,000 and Class A at $250,000 or more. At $1,000 or less it is a Class A misdemeanor, except that theft of a firearm worth less than $2,500 is always at least a Class E felony.5
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105(a) · Felony theft amounts in every state
DUI in Tennessee
Tennessee calls it driving under the influence (DUI). The law covers driving or being in physical control of a vehicle.
- Repeat offenses
- A fourth DUI conviction is a felony, sentenced in the Class E felony range with at least 150 days to serve. A fifth is sentenced as a Class D felony and a sixth or later as a Class C felony.
- Which past offenses count
- 10 years between violations. A prior counts if it is within 10 years of the next one in the chain, but a violation more than 20 years before the current one never counts. Prior convictions for vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, including the aggravated forms, count no matter how old they are.
- Other felony versions
- DUI with a child under 18 in the car who is seriously hurt is a Class D felony, and if the child is killed it is a Class B felony. Vehicular assault by an intoxicated driver is a Class D felony.
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-10-401, 55-10-402, 55-10-405, 39-13-1062 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, a felony is a violation of law that may be punished by one year or more of confinement, or by death. A violation punishable by a fine or by confinement of less than one year is a misdemeanor.
What is a Class A felony in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the prison range for a Class A felony is 15 to 60 years, and the fine is up to $50,000. The fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute.".
What is a Class B felony in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the prison range for a Class B felony is 8 to 30 years, and the fine is up to $25,000. The fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute.".
What is a Class C felony in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the prison range for a Class C felony is 3 to 15 years, and the fine is up to $10,000. The fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute.".
What is a Class D felony in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the prison range for a Class D felony is 2 to 12 years, and the fine is up to $5,000. The fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute.".
What is a Class E felony in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the prison range for a Class E felony is 1 to 6 years, and the fine is up to $3,000. The fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute.".
What is a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the jail range for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 11 months and 29 days, and the fine is up to $2,500. The court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both.
What is a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the jail range for a Class B misdemeanor is up to 6 months, and the fine is up to $500. The court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both.
What is a Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the jail range for a Class C misdemeanor is up to 30 days, and the fine is up to $50. The court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both.
How much theft is a felony in Tennessee?
Theft of property or services worth more than $1,000 is a felony. It is a Class E felony from over $1,000 to under $2,500, Class D from $2,500 to under $10,000, Class C from $10,000 to under $60,000, Class B from $60,000 to under $250,000 and Class A at $250,000 or more. At $1,000 or less it is a Class A misdemeanor, except that theft of a firearm worth less than $2,500 is always at least a Class E felony.
Is a DUI a felony in Tennessee?
A fourth DUI conviction is a felony, sentenced in the Class E felony range with at least 150 days to serve. A fifth is sentenced as a Class D felony and a sixth or later as a Class C felony. DUI with a child under 18 in the car who is seriously hurt is a Class D felony, and if the child is killed it is a Class B felony. Vehicular assault by an intoxicated driver is a Class D felony.
These are the general ranges in Tennessee's sentencing laws. A specific crime can carry its own minimum or maximum, and past convictions can raise the range. This isn't legal advice; a defense lawyer or public defender can tell you what applies to a case.
Spot something out of date? Tell us at contact@secondchanceindex.com.
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Tennessee" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/tennessee, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-110
- Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-10-401, 55-10-402, 55-10-405, 39-13-106
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-110(b), (d)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105(a)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-106FindLaw (Tennessee Code)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-401FindLaw (Tennessee Code)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-405FindLaw (Tennessee Code)
- Public Chapter No. 1011 (2024), Senate Bill 1055Tennessee Secretary of State (Public Acts)
- Public Chapter No. 774 (113th General Assembly)Tennessee Secretary of State (Public Acts)
- Public Chapter No. 403 (2025), Senate Bill 1400Tennessee Secretary of State (Public Acts)
- Public Chapter No. 819 (114th General Assembly)Tennessee Secretary of State (Public Acts)