Tennessee Lawmakers Crack Down on Juvenile Crime with Blended Sentencing Bill

Tennessee lawmakers are sending a "blended sentencing" bill to Governor Bill Lee's desk to impose stricter punishments on young offenders who commit serious crimes. The bill aims to fill a gap in the current juvenile justice system, which loses jurisdiction over offenders at age 19, allowing their records to be expunged.

Governor Bill Lee is poised to sign into law a "blended sentencing" bill that seeks to curb lenient punishments for juvenile offenders who commit heinous crimes. Under current law, the juvenile justice system relinquishes jurisdiction over young criminals once they reach the age of 19. As a result, their records are expunged, giving them a clean slate despite potentially committing serious offenses.

The blended sentencing bill amends this loophole by extending adult punishments to certain juvenile offenders who exhibit negative behavior after aging out of the juvenile system. Specifically, juvenile suspects aged 16 or older who are found guilty of the equivalent of an adult class A, B, or C felony could face a "blended" sentence that includes adult punishments, ranging from probation to prison time, after their 18th birthday. No blended sentence can last beyond the offender's 25th birthday.

The bill establishes stringent criteria for the most severe offenses, demanding that young criminals demonstrate a commitment to rehabilitation to avoid adult prison time. Offenders must fulfill three out of seven conditions, including graduating high school or obtaining a GED, securing employment, abstaining from committing further crimes, and completing a specified number of positive actions.

Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, who introduced the bill, emphasized that it targets serious offenders who commit violent crimes such as carjacking families at gunpoint. He stressed that these individuals would no longer escape punishment after serving less than two years for such heinous acts.

Sexton explained that the bill emerged in response to a surge in juvenile carjackings during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the state's successful "truth in sentencing" bill that eliminated early prison release for violent criminals. He pointed out that juvenile offenders were receiving lenient punishments and repeatedly re-offending.

The blended sentencing bill gained bipartisan support, passing both the state House and Senate at the end of April. Governor Lee is widely anticipated to sign it into law following a series of brazen crimes in Tennessee.

In April, Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney was tragically killed in a shootout with two teen suspects, ages 17 and 18. Police did not identify the suspects, but one of them, who had been released from custody just days before, was killed in the incident.

Moreover, in September 2022, Memphis witnessed a shocking active shooter attack in which 19-year-old suspect Ezekiel Kelly drove around the city, livestreaming multiple shootings that left four people dead and three injured. Despite his age, Kelly had an extensive criminal history and had been released from prison early after a plea deal allowed him to avoid an attempted murder charge.

Offenders like Kelly, who would have continued to evade proper punishment under the current system, will face stricter consequences under the new law. Even after their release, they will be required to meet certain criteria, including pursuing education or employment, and avoiding further criminal activity.

Critics of the bill have raised potential constitutional challenges. However, Sexton stated that lawmakers consulted with prosecutors, law enforcement, mayors, and judges before presenting the measure for a vote.

In addition to the blended sentencing bill, the state House is working on a separate Juvenile Prohibitor Bill that would bar violent juvenile offenders from legally purchasing firearms until they are 25 or older. In 2026, Tennessee voters will have the opportunity to consider a bail reform measure that would expand the list of violent charges for which a judge can hold a defendant without bond.