# Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-104: Theft of services

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-104

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-104
- **Heading:** Theft of services
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 39 / Chapter 14 / Section 39-14-104

## Text

(a) A person commits theft of services who: (1) Intentionally obtains services by deception, fraud, coercion, forgery, false statement, false pretense or any other means to avoid payment for the services; (2) Having control over the disposition of services to others, knowingly diverts those services to the person's own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto; or (3) Knowingly absconds from establishments where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon the rendering of them, including, but not limited to, hotels, motels and restaurants, without payment or a bona fide offer to pay. (b) Any individual directly or indirectly harmed by a violation of subsection (a) shall have legal standing to report such violations to law enforcement and testify in support of corresponding criminal charges. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 2011, ch. 348, § 2.
(a) A person commits theft of services who: (1) Intentionally obtains services by deception, fraud, coercion, forgery, false statement, false pretense or any other means to avoid payment for the services; (2) Having control over the disposition of services to others, knowingly diverts those services to the person's own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto; or (3) Knowingly absconds from establishments where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon the rendering of them, including, but not limited to, hotels, motels and restaurants, without payment or a bona fide offer to pay.
(1) Intentionally obtains services by deception, fraud, coercion, forgery, false statement, false pretense or any other means to avoid payment for the services;
(2) Having control over the disposition of services to others, knowingly diverts those services to the person's own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto; or
(3) Knowingly absconds from establishments where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon the rendering of them, including, but not limited to, hotels, motels and restaurants, without payment or a bona fide offer to pay.
(b) Any individual directly or indirectly harmed by a violation of subsection (a) shall have legal standing to report such violations to law enforcement and testify in support of corresponding criminal charges.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 2011, ch. 348, § 2.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-101 Consolidation of theft offenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-102 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-103 Theft of property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-104 Theft of services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105 Grading of theft](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-106 Unauthorized use of automobiles and other vehicles - Joyriding](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-107 Claim of right](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-108 Pawned or conveyed rental property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-109 Stone or rock wall - Warning sign](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-110 Unauthorized recording of theatrical motion pictures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-111 Parentage fraud](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-112 Extortion](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-113 Organized Retail Crime Prevention Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-114 Forgery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-114.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.