(a) It is an offense for a defendant to engage in unlawful sexual contact with a minor when:

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class A misdemeanorup to 11 monthsup to $2,500
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111
criminal case

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 39-13-509

  • Defendant: means a person accused of an offense under this title and includes any person who aids or abets the commission of such offense. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Minor: means any person under eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
(1) The minor is less than eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) The defendant is at least four (4) years older than the victim; and
(3) The defendant was, at the time of the offense, in a position of trust, or had supervisory or disciplinary power over the minor by virtue of the defendant’s legal, professional, or occupational status and used the position of trust or power to accomplish the sexual contact; or
(4) The defendant had, at the time of the offense, parental or custodial authority over the minor and used the authority to accomplish the sexual contact.
(b) As used in this section, “sexual contact” means the defendant intentionally touches or kisses the minor’s lips with the defendant’s lips if such touching can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification.
(c) Sexual contact by an authority figure is a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(d) Each instance of unlawful sexual contact shall be considered a separate offense.
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