Amidst a spike in juvenile crime, Tennessee lawmakers have passed a "blended sentencing" bill that will subject the worst juvenile offenders to adult punishments after they age out of the system, targeting serious crimes such as carjacking and murder.
Tennessee's Governor Bill Lee is expected to sign into law a "blended sentencing" bill that aims to address the escalating problem of juvenile violence in the state. The bill, which passed both the House and Senate, will impose adult punishments on certain juvenile offenders who have committed serious crimes.
Under current law, the juvenile justice system loses jurisdiction over young offenders once they turn 19. However, the blended sentencing bill gives serious offenders a maximum of three to five additional years in adult prison if they meet certain negative criteria after aging out.
According to Tennessee House Speaker Cameraon Sexton, the new bill will ensure that juvenile criminals who commit violent crimes are held accountable. "If they're 17 or 18 years old, and they commit a violent crime, and they're not prosecuted as an adult, by the time they turn age 19, their record is wiped clean," said Sexton. "Nobody can see it anymore. They get a free pass."
The bill targets juvenile suspects 16 or older who are found responsible for the equivalent of an adult class A, B, or C felony. These offenses include carjacking, kidnapping, and murder. After their 18th birthday, they can face a "blended" sentence that includes adult punishment, ranging from probation to prison time. No blended sentence can extend beyond the offender's 25th birthday.
The bill sets stringent guidelines for serious offenses, requiring young criminals to demonstrate a plan to turn their lives around to avoid adult prison time. They must meet certain conditions, including graduating high school or obtaining a GED, securing employment, and avoiding further criminal activity.
According to Sexton, the bill was drafted after a rise in juvenile carjackings during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that previous efforts to address juvenile crime, such as the state's "truth in sentencing" bill that ended early prison release for violent criminals, had proven successful.
The new law is intended to prevent juveniles from escaping serious consequences for heinous crimes. Governor Lee is expected to sign the bill into law following a series of high-profile cases involving juvenile offenders.
One recent case involved Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney, who was killed in a shootout with two teen suspects, ages 17 and 18. In September 2022, a 19-year-old suspect, Ezekiel Kelly, was accused of driving around Memphis and livestreaming multiple shootings, killing four and injuring three. Despite having a lengthy rap sheet, Kelly was released from prison early after a plea deal.
The blended sentencing bill aims to address such situations by ensuring that dangerous juvenile offenders remain under law enforcement's radar and do not receive early release.
However, critics argue that the bill could face constitutional challenges. Sexton acknowledges the potential for legal disputes but emphasizes that lawmakers consulted with prosecutors, law enforcement, and judges before drafting the measure.
Tennessee's House of Representatives is also considering a separate legislative plan, the Juvenile Prohibitor Bill, which would restrict violent juvenile offenders from legally purchasing a gun until they are 25 or older.
In 2026, state voters will weigh in on another bail reform measure—an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that would expand the list of violent charges for which a judge can hold a defendant without bond.
