# Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-108: Exclusionary Rule Reform Act

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-108

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-108
- **Heading:** Exclusionary Rule Reform Act
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 40 / Chapter 6 / Section 40-6-108

## Text

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any evidence that is seized as a result of executing a search warrant issued pursuant to this part or pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41 that is otherwise admissible in a criminal proceeding and not in violation of the constitution of the United States or Tennessee shall not be suppressed as a result of any violation of this part or any violation of Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41 if the court determines that such violation was a result of a good faith mistake or technical violation made by a law enforcement officer, court official, or the issuing magistrate as defined in subsection (c). (b) This section does not limit or prohibit the enforcement of any appropriate civil remedy in actions pursuant to other provisions of law against any individual or government entity found to have conducted an unreasonable search or seizure; provided, however, that unless otherwise provided by federal law or the constitution of Tennessee, if any evidence is seized as a result of a good faith mistake or technical violation, as defined in subsection (c), the individual or government entity shall not be civilly liable. (c) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "good faith mistake or technical violation" means: (1) An unintentional clerical error or clerical omission made by a law enforcement officer, court official or issuing magistrate in the form, preparation, issuance, filing and handling of copies, or return and inventory of a search warrant; (2) When the officer to whom the warrant is delivered for execution is not present during the execution but an officer with law enforcement authority over the premises does otherwise execute the search warrant; (3) A reasonable reliance on a statute that is subsequently ruled unconstitutional; or controlling court precedent that is overruled after the issuance of a search warrant, unless the court overruling the precedent orders the new precedent to be applied retroactively. Acts 2011, ch. 252, § 1.
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any evidence that is seized as a result of executing a search warrant issued pursuant to this part or pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41 that is otherwise admissible in a criminal proceeding and not in violation of the constitution of the United States or Tennessee shall not be suppressed as a result of any violation of this part or any violation of Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41 if the court determines that such violation was a result of a good faith mistake or technical violation made by a law enforcement officer, court official, or the issuing magistrate as defined in subsection (c).
(b) This section does not limit or prohibit the enforcement of any appropriate civil remedy in actions pursuant to other provisions of law against any individual or government entity found to have conducted an unreasonable search or seizure; provided, however, that unless otherwise provided by federal law or the constitution of Tennessee, if any evidence is seized as a result of a good faith mistake or technical violation, as defined in subsection (c), the individual or government entity shall not be civilly liable.
provisions of law against any individual or government entity found to have conducted an unreasonable search or seizure; provided, however, that unless otherwise provided by federal law or the constitution of Tennessee, if any evidence is seized as a result of a good faith mistake or technical violation, as defined in subsection (c), the individual or government entity shall not be civilly liable.
(c) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "good faith mistake or technical violation" means: (1) An unintentional clerical error or clerical omission made by a law enforcement officer, court official or issuing magistrate in the form, preparation, issuance, filing and handling of copies, or return and inventory of a search warrant; (2) When the officer to whom the warrant is delivered for execution is not present during the execution but an officer with law enforcement authority over the premises does otherwise execute the search warrant; (3) A reasonable reliance on a statute that is subsequently ruled unconstitutional; or controlling court precedent that is overruled after the issuance of a search warrant, unless the court overruling the precedent orders the new precedent to be applied retroactively.
(1) An unintentional clerical error or clerical omission made by a law enforcement officer, court official or issuing magistrate in the form, preparation, issuance, filing and handling of copies, or return and inventory of a search warrant;
(2) When the officer to whom the warrant is delivered for execution is not present during the execution but an officer with law enforcement authority over the premises does otherwise execute the search warrant;
(3) A reasonable reliance on a statute that is subsequently ruled unconstitutional; or controlling court precedent that is overruled after the issuance of a search warrant, unless the court overruling the precedent orders the new precedent to be applied retroactively.
Acts 2011, ch. 252, § 1.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-101 "Search warrant" defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-102 Grounds for issuance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-103 Probable cause and affidavit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-104 Examination of complainant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-105 Issuance of search warrant - Issuance of "no knock" search warrant prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-106 Form of warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-107 Return date](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-108 Exclusionary Rule Reform Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-109 Disclosure of stored wire or electronic communications - Criminal process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-110 Searches of cellular telephones and cellular telephone data](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-111 Searches of medical records and test](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-201 "Warrant of arrest" defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-201.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-202 Power of magistrates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-202.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-203 Examination of affiant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-203.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T40_C6_S40-6-108. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
