Tennessee Criminal Defense

What Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration?

There are a wide variety of crimes that may be classified as a sex crime in the state of Tennessee. These crimes often require anyone convicted of them to be registered as a sex offender for a set amount of time. Sex crimes are taken especially seriously by law enforcement, and prosecutors will frequently try to secure a severe penalty for these crimes, including lengthy periods of mandatory sex offender registration.


Sex offender registration is only mandated for those who have been convicted of a sex crime. There are a number of crimes that are considered sex crimes, which generally involve non-consensual sexual activity or sexual activity with a minor. Minors are not legally able to consent to sexual conduct, so all sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18 is considered illegal.

More serious sex crimes target children, including child pornography, or involve threats of physical harm, the use or threat of harm, or serious injury. These crimes often merit a more serious felony charge, which can result in up to 60 years in prison, $50,000 in fines, and decades of sex offender registration for the most serious charges.

Sex offender registration can have a serious and continuing impact on your life. You will be limited in your opportunities for education, housing, and employment, due to your status as a sex offender. You may have a difficult time remaining connected to your community and can suffer damage to your reputation and relationships with your family and loved ones. You will also need to regularly report in with law enforcement officials for the length of your registration.


There are many sex crimes that are prohibited by Tennessee law, including:

  • RapeSexual penetration of a victim using force or coercion, without the victim’s consent, when the defendant knows the victim is physically or mentally incapacitated or is accomplished through fraud.
  • Aggravated Rape: Rape accomplished through excessive force or coercion, with the use of a weapon, causing physical injury, or while aided by another person.
  • Statutory RapeThe victim is 13 or 14 years old and the defendant is 4 to 10 years older, or the victim is 15 to 17, and the defendant is 5 to 10 years older.
  • Aggravated Statutory Rape: The victim is 13 to 17 years old, and the defendant is more than 10 years older.
  • Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure: The victim is 13 to 17 years old, while the defendant is at least 4 years older and in a position of trust, supervision, or discipline by legal, professional, or occupational status, or has custodial authority over the child.
  • Rape of a Child: Sexual penetration of a child who is between 4 and 12 years old.
  • Aggravated Rape of a Child: Sexual penetration of a victim who is 3 years old or younger.
  • Sexual Battery: Sexual contact with any party’s genitals or intimate parts, with a victim through coercion or force, without the consent of the victim, by fraud, or while the defendant knew the victim was incapacitated physically or mentally.
  • Aggravated Sexual Battery: Sexual contact with force or coercion, a weapon, causing physical injury, or with the help of one or more people, or the victim is under 13 years old.
  • Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure: Sexual contact between a victim who was between 13 and 17 years old, or was mentally or physically incapacitated, and a defendant who was in a position of trust, supervision, or discipline, and used their position to have sexual contact with the victim.


Facing sex crime charges alone can be a challenge, and it may not result in a successful defense. Our Murfreesboro sex crimes lawyer will use his insider knowledge of the prosecution to build an effective defense for your case. Joshua T. Crain, Attorneys at Law is dedicated to helping our clients protect their rights and futures from the damage a sex crime conviction can cause.

Schedule a free case evaluation today learn how we can help. Contact our offices by calling (615) 200-9409.