Felony charges in Tennessee aren’t just serious—they’re life-altering. Whether you’re facing accusations of drug trafficking, aggravated assault, white-collar crimes, or repeat offenses, a felony conviction can mean years behind bars, massive fines, and a criminal record that never goes away. You can’t afford a passive defense. You need a strategic, aggressive legal team that knows how to win.
At Harvey Criminal Defense Lawyers, we don’t just defend cases—we fight for your freedom, your future, and your name.
We know how prosecutors in Memphis build felony cases. We know their priorities, their pressure points, and how to expose weaknesses in their strategy. Our approach is sharp, focused, and relentless.
From pre-indictment investigations to jury trials, we build smart, aggressive defenses that get results.
Tennessee law defines a felony as any criminal offense punishable by one year or more in prison. Felonies are categorized by severity, from Class E (least serious) to Class A (most serious), with First-Degree Murder standing alone in a category of its own, allowing for the possibility of life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
In 2024, the Tennessee legislature and governor changed the law to allow for the death penalty also in convictions for Rape of a Child, but this is in defiance of United States Supreme Court precedent, which bars the death penalty for non-homicide crimes.
| Felony Class | Prison Sentence | Max Fine | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Murder | Death, life w/ or w/o parole | N/A | Premeditated murder, felony murder |
| Class A | 15–60 years | $50,000 | Rape of a child, aggravated kidnapping |
| Class B | 8–30 years | $25,000 | Carjacking, sex trafficking |
| Class C | 3–15 years | $10,000 | Aggravated burglary, robbery |
| Class D | 2–12 years | $5,000 | Reckless homicide, extortion |
| Class E | 1–6 years | $3,000 | Theft of a firearm, felon in possession |
Some offenses come with sentence enhancements: repeat violent offenders, gang-related crimes, firearm use, or offenses near schools can increase your sentence significantly.
Sentencing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Tennessee courts consider both the felony class and the offender category, which is based on your criminal history.
The judge must also consider mitigating and enhancement factors before handing down a sentence.
Felony charges don’t always mean prison time. If you’re a first-time offender or facing a lower-level felony, you may qualify for sentencing alternatives:
We fight to get you options that keep you out of prison—and protect your future.
Tennessee doesn’t expunge most felonies. A conviction can affect every part of your life:
The system doesn’t hand out second chances. We fight to create them.
Even if you’re sentenced to prison, you may not have to serve the full term. Tennessee parole law allows early release based on good behavior and program participation.
Some crimes require you to serve 85%–100% of your sentence before parole is even possible—especially violent or sexual offenses.
Violating parole conditions can send you back to prison to serve the rest.
Only certain nonviolent Class C, D, or E felonies may qualify for expungement. You must:
We help eligible clients clear their records and move forward.
We defend against all felony charges, including:
We’ll begin investigating right away, gather favorable evidence, and develop a defense tailored to your charge, record, and goals.
When you’re charged with a felony, everything is at risk—your freedom, your reputation, your future. At Harvey Criminal Defense Lawyers, we don’t just manage cases. We take command of them.
Contact us today for a consultation. Let’s build your defense before the prosecution builds their case.
A felony is any criminal offense punishable by one year or more in prison. Misdemeanors carry jail time of up to 11 months and 29 days. Felonies also carry greater fines, long-term consequences, and more limited expungement opportunities.
Some nonviolent Class C, D, and E felonies may be eligible for expungement in Tennessee, but only after you’ve completed your sentence, remained conviction-free, and waited an additional 5–10 years. Not all offenses qualify.
Repeat offenders face enhanced sentencing ranges—sometimes double or triple what first-time offenders would receive. Career or persistent offenders may serve the maximum penalty available for the charge and face longer parole ineligibility.
Immediately. The earlier we get involved, the better chance we have to protect your rights, investigate weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and push for dismissal, reduction, or diversion before trial.
The prosecutors are already building their case against you. Every day you wait is another day they get stronger.
But you don’t have to face this alone.
