U.S. Federal and State Cases, Codes, and Articles
Select a tab to search United States Cases, Codes, or Articles
U.S. Federal and State Cases, Codes, and Articles
Select a tab to search United States Cases, Codes, or Articles
Search for cases
Indicates required field
Search by keyword or citation
Indicates required field
Search blogs, article pages, and cases and codes
Indicates required field
Current as of January 01, 2020 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
(a) It is unlawful to knowingly produce, send or cause to be sent, or bring or cause to be brought, into this state for sale, distribution, exhibition or display, or in this state to prepare for distribution, publish, print, exhibit, distribute, or offer to distribute, or to possess with intent to distribute or to exhibit or offer to distribute any obscene matter, or to do any of the aforementioned with any matter found legally obscene that violates the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 2257. It is unlawful to direct, present or produce any obscene theatrical production, peep show or live performance, and every person who participates in that part of the production which renders the production or performance obscene is guilty of the offense.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to hire, employ or use a minor to do or assist in doing any of the acts described in subsection (a) with knowledge that the person is a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, or while in possession of the facts that the person should reasonably know that the person is a minor under eighteen (18) years of age. However, this section shall not apply to those acts that are prohibited by §§ 39-17-1003 -- 39-17-1005.
(c)(1) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor, and, in addition, any corporation or business entity that violates this section shall be fined an amount not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) nor more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(2) A second or subsequent violation of subsection (a) is a Class E felony; provided, that the second or subsequent violation occurs after a conviction has been obtained for the previous violation; provided further, that the range of fines authorized for a first violation by a corporation or business entity shall also be applicable for second or subsequent violations by the corporation or entity.
(d) A violation of subsection (b) is a Class E felony, and, in addition, a violator shall be fined an amount not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) nor more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(e) It is an exception to this section that the obscene material is possessed by a person having scientific, educational, governmental or other similar justification.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Tennessee Code Title 39. Criminal Offenses § 39-17-902 - last updated January 01, 2020 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-39-criminal-offenses/tn-code-sect-39-17-902.html
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
Response sent, thank you
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)