Tennessee Code Title 40. Criminal Procedure § 40-25-130

(1) The defendant is acquitted by a verdict of the jury upon the merits;

(2) The prosecution is dismissed, or a nolle prosequi entered by the state;

(3) The action has abated by the death of the defendant;

(4) The defendant is discharged by the court or magistrate before indictment preferred or found, or after indictment and before verdict; or

(5) The defendant has been convicted, but the execution issued upon the judgment has been returned “nulla bona” or where the court hearing the case has made a finding at any evidentiary hearing that the defendant is indigent and remains indigent at the time of conviction.