Three Strikes and Habitual Offender Laws in Tennessee

Tennessee's 'repeat violent offender' law requires a sentence of life without the possibility of parole when the court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant qualifies. The tiers are: a conviction for a listed violent offense (such as first or second degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping or robbery, aggravated rape, rape of a child, aggravated arson, rape, aggravated robbery or aggravated child abuse) with at least two prior convictions for listed violent offenses; or, for the most serious listed offenses (such as first or second degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping or robbery, aggravated rape, rape of a child and aggravated arson), with at least one prior conviction for a listed violent offense.