(a) The defendant in a criminal case may appeal from the length, range or the manner of service of the sentence imposed by the sentencing court. The defendant may also appeal the imposition of consecutive sentences. An appeal pursuant to this section shall be taken within the same time and in the same manner as other appeals in criminal cases. If there is an appeal of the conviction, the appeal of the sentence shall be taken at the same time. There is no appellate review of the sentence in a postconviction or habeas corpus proceeding.
criminal case

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 40-35-401

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in a perceivable form. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
(b) An appeal from a sentence may be on one (1) or more of the following grounds:

(1) The sentence was not imposed in accordance with this chapter;
(2) The sentence is excessive under the sentencing considerations set out in §§ 40-35-103 and 40-35-210; or
(3) The sentence is inconsistent with the purposes of sentencing set out in §§ 40-35-102 and 40-35-103.
(c) If a sentence is appealed, the appellate court may:

(1) Dismiss the appeal;
(2) Affirm, reduce, vacate or set aside the sentence imposed;
(3) Remand the case or direct the entry of an appropriate sentence or order; or
(4) Direct any further proceedings appropriate or required under the circumstances.
(d) When reviewing sentencing issues raised pursuant to subsection (a), including the granting or denial of probation and the length of sentence, the appellate court shall conduct a de novo review on the record of the issues. The review shall be conducted with a presumption that the determinations made by the court from which the appeal is taken are correct.
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