What if I Am a Repeat Criminal Offender in Tennessee?

You should feel deeply regretful after committing a criminal offense that might have put innocent victims in harm’s way or otherwise caused them damage. But you may feel more inclined to never make the same mistake again after the Tennessee criminal court orders you to serve a significant sentence in prison and pay a steep fine. You should know that, under no circumstances, is it a good thing to find yourself being accused of and tried for a subsequent offense. With that being said, please read on to discover what happens if you are found guilty of being a repeat criminal offender and how one of the seasoned Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers at Fendley and Birch can protect you from being hit with a severely harsh sentence.

What are the habitual offender laws in the state of Tennessee?

The Tennessee criminal court surely does not appreciate having to hear criminal cases in which the defendant already has a prior criminal record. And so, the judge may base their ultimate ruling on Tennessee’s habitual offender laws.

First of all, you may be designated as a habitual offender if you have two or more prior felony convictions. If so, you may be inevitably subject to longer prison sentences, more expensive fines, and overall harsher criminal consequences than a first-time offender would. Importantly, though, being a habitual violent offender means that you have two prior violent felony convictions. With this, you may be stripped of your parole eligibility, or worse, you may be sentenced to a lifetime prison sentence.

Of note, as a repeat offender of a misdemeanor offense, you may be punished as harshly as if you had committed a felony offense. For example, usually domestic violence is charged as a Class B misdemeanor, which is associated with jail time of up to six months and a fine of up to $500. However, it may be upgraded to a Class E felony upon your third offense, which means prison time of one to six years and a fine of up to $3,000.

What happens if I am a repeat criminal offender in Tennessee?

As we have already established, being a repeat criminal offender may negatively impact penalties for your current conviction, with enhanced sentencing and a reduced chance of probation, parole, and other sentencing alternatives. But also, it may give the prosecution more leverage in their case against you.

Namely, the prosecution may be better able to convince the Tennessee criminal court that your repeat offenses mean that you pose a greater risk to public safety, and thereby, you should be sent away to prison for a longer period of time. But even before this, they may feel less inclined to entertain a plea bargain.

If you desire more clarity before you head into these proceedings, please do not wait any longer to reach out to one of the competent Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers. Retain the services of Fendley and Birch today.