# Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-107: Claim of right

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-107

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-107
- **Heading:** Claim of right
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 39 / Chapter 14 / Section 39-14-107

## Text

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under §§ 39-14-103 , 39-14-104 and 39-14-106 that the person: (1) Acted under an honest claim of right to the property or service involved; (2) Acted in the honest belief that the person had the right to obtain or exercise control over the property or service as the person did; or (3) Obtained or exercised control over property or service honestly believing that the owner, if present, would have consented. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1030, § 19.
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under §§ 39-14-103 , 39-14-104 and 39-14-106 that the person:
(1) Acted under an honest claim of right to the property or service involved;
(2) Acted in the honest belief that the person had the right to obtain or exercise control over the property or service as the person did; or
(3) Obtained or exercised control over property or service honestly believing that the owner, if present, would have consented.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1030, § 19.

## 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)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C14_S39-14-107. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.