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§ 39-16-609. Failure to appear.

TN Code § 39-16-609 (2019) (N/A)
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(a) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly fail to appear as directed by a lawful authority if the person:

(1) Has been lawfully issued a criminal summons pursuant to § 40-6-215;

(2) Has been lawfully commanded to appear for booking and processing pursuant to a criminal summons issued in accordance with § 40-6-215;

(3) Has been lawfully issued a citation in lieu of arrest under § 40-7-118;

(4) Has been lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition of subsequent appearance at an official proceeding or penal institution at a specified time or place; or

(5) Knowingly goes into hiding to avoid prosecution or court appearance.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:

(1) The appearance is required by a probation and parole officer as an incident of probation or parole supervision; or

(2) The person had a reasonable excuse for failure to appear at the specified time and place.

(c) Nothing in this section shall apply to witnesses.

(d) Failure to appear is a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) Any sentence received for a violation of this section must be ordered to be served consecutively to any sentence received for the offense for which the defendant failed to appear.

(f) [Deleted by 2019 amendment.]

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