(a) A person commits theft of property if, with intent to deprive the owner of property, the person knowingly obtains or exercises control over the property without the owner’s effective consent.

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 39-14-103

  • Deprive: means to:
    (A) Withhold property from the owner permanently or for such a period of time as to substantially diminish the value or enjoyment of the property to the owner. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Effective consent: means assent in fact, whether express or apparent, including assent by one legally authorized to act for another. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Owner: means a person, other than the defendant, who has possession of or any interest other than a mortgage, deed of trust or security interest in property, even though that possession or interest is unlawful and without whose consent the defendant has no authority to exert control over the property. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Person: includes the singular and the plural and means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, or other organization or other legal entity, or any agent or servant thereof. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Property: means anything of value, including, but not limited to, money, real estate, tangible or intangible personal property, including anything severed from land, library material, contract rights, choses-in-action, interests in or claims to wealth, credit, admission or transportation tickets, captured or domestic animals, food and drink, electric or other power. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b)

(1) As a condition of pretrial diversion, judicial diversion, probation or parole for a violation of subsection (a) when the violation occurs as set out in subdivision (b)(2), the person may be required to perform debris removal, clean-up, restoration, or other necessary physical labor at a location within the area affected by the disaster or emergency that is in the county where the offense occurred.
(2) The condition of pretrial diversion, judicial diversion, probation or parole containing the requirement set out in subdivision (b)(1) may be used if the violation of subsection (a) occurs:

(A) During or within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of a tornado, flood, fire, or other disaster or emergency, as defined in § 58-2-101;
(B) Within the area affected by the disaster or emergency; and
(C) When, as a result of the disaster or emergency, the owner of the property taken, or the person charged with custody of the property, is unable to adequately guard, secure or protect the property from theft.
(3) Subdivision (b)(2) shall apply regardless of whether a state of emergency has been declared by a county, the governor, or the president of the United States at the time of or subsequent to the theft.
(4) Any period of physical labor required pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) shall not exceed the maximum sentence authorized pursuant to § 39-14-105.