Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Criminal Law

: Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Tennessee

By Baker Associates

Contributing to the delinquency of a person under the age of 18 is a crime in Tennessee and is punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine. Additionally, if vandalism is involved, the defendant may be responsible for the costs of repair and restoration. To be found guilty of the crime, the state must prove that the defendant contributed to or encouraged delinquency, a delinquent act, or unruly behavior of a child. A delinquent act is conduct that amounts to a crime under state law, federal law, or local ordinance. On the other hand, unruly behavior consists of habitual truancy, disobedience to parents, commission of crimes only applicable to children (such as underage drinking), and running away from home. Examples of contributing to the delinquency of a minor include encouraging or enabling a child to: Watch sexually explicit materials (pornography); Smoke cigarettes or otherwise use tobacco products; Drink alcohol; Sell or use controlled substances like marijuana, ecstasy, LSD, and prescription drugs; Skip school; and Theft...continue to full post

Full post as published by Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog on August 03, 2009 (boomark / email).