# Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-103: Territorial jurisdiction

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-103

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-103
- **Heading:** Territorial jurisdiction
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 39 / Chapter 11 / Section 39-11-103

## Text

(a) Every person, whether an inhabitant of this or any other state or country, is liable to punishment by the laws of this state, for an offense committed in this state, except where it is by law cognizable exclusively in the courts of the United States. (b) (1) When an offense is commenced outside of this state and consummated in this state, the person committing the offense is liable for punishment in this state in the county in which the offense was consummated, unless otherwise provided by statute. (2) It is no defense that the person charged with the offense was outside of this state when the offense was consummated, if the person used: (A) An innocent or guilty agent; or (B) Other means proceeding directly from the person. (c) When the commission of an offense commenced within this state is consummated outside of its boundaries, the offender is liable to punishment in this state in the county where the offense was commenced. (d) If one (1) or more elements of an offense are committed in one (1) county and one (1) or more elements in another, the offense may be prosecuted in either county. Offenses committed on the boundary of two (2) or more counties may be prosecuted in either county. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1000, § 5.
(a) Every person, whether an inhabitant of this or any other state or country, is liable to punishment by the laws of this state, for an offense committed in this state, except where it is by law cognizable exclusively in the courts of the United States.
(b) (1) When an offense is commenced outside of this state and consummated in this state, the person committing the offense is liable for punishment in this state in the county in which the offense was consummated, unless otherwise provided by statute. (2) It is no defense that the person charged with the offense was outside of this state when the offense was consummated, if the person used: (A) An innocent or guilty agent; or (B) Other means proceeding directly from the person.
(1) When an offense is commenced outside of this state and consummated in this state, the person committing the offense is liable for punishment in this state in the county in which the offense was consummated, unless otherwise provided by statute.
(2) It is no defense that the person charged with the offense was outside of this state when the offense was consummated, if the person used: (A) An innocent or guilty agent; or (B) Other means proceeding directly from the person.
(A) An innocent or guilty agent; or
(B) Other means proceeding directly from the person.
(c) When the commission of an offense commenced within this state is consummated outside of its boundaries, the offender is liable to punishment in this state in the county where the offense was commenced.
(d) If one (1) or more elements of an offense are committed in one (1) county and one (1) or more elements in another, the offense may be prosecuted in either county. Offenses committed on the boundary of two (2) or more counties may be prosecuted in either county.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1000, § 5.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-101 Objectives of criminal code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-102 Effect of criminal code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-103 Territorial jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-104 Construction of criminal code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-105 Computation of age](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-106 Title definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-109 Prosecution under more than one statute](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-110 Felonies and misdemeanors distinguished](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-111 Prohibited act when no penalty prescribed is misdemeanor](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-112 [Repealed] Repealed or amended laws - Application in prosecution for offense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-113 Penalty for felony where punishment not prescribed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-114 Penalty for misdemeanor where punishment not prescribed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-114.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-115 Determination of value](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-115.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-117 Classification of first degree murder](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-117.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C11_S39-11-103. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
