Tennessee lawmakers have passed a bill that implements “blended sentencing” for the worst juvenile offenders, allowing them to face adult punishments after aging out of the juvenile system. Under the new bill, offenders aged 16 or older found responsible for adult class A, B, or C felonies can face a blended sentence, including probation or prison time, after turning 18. The maximum sentence under this bill cannot extend past the offender’s 25th birthday.
Juvenile offenders who commit serious crimes like carjackings will no longer go unpunished after serving less than two years under the new legislation. Offenders must meet certain criteria, such as graduating high school, getting a GED, holding a job, and avoiding committing additional crimes, to avoid adult prison time. The bill aims to hold young criminals accountable by requiring them to demonstrate their intent to turn their lives around if they wish to avoid adult punishment.
Lawmakers introduced the blended sentencing bill in response to a rise in juvenile crime, particularly carjackings, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill aims to address lenient punishments for serious offenders and prevent them from re-offending after early release. Gov. Bill Lee is expected to sign the bill into law following a series of high-profile crimes involving young offenders, such as the recent shootout that resulted in the death of a Memphis police officer.
Critics of the bill raise concerns about potential constitutional challenges, but proponents argue that it is necessary to prevent violent juvenile offenders from evading justice and re-offending. Lawmakers consulted with various stakeholders, including prosecutors, law enforcement officials, mayors, and judges, before passing the legislation. In addition to the blended sentencing bill, the state House is working on a Juvenile Prohibitor Bill, which would restrict violent juvenile offenders from purchasing guns until they are 25.
The bill’s passage comes in the wake of several high-profile crimes involving young offenders, such as the 2022 active shooter attack in Memphis by 19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly, who had a lengthy criminal record and had been released early from prison after a plea deal. Under the new legislation, offenders like Kelly will no longer be eligible for early release and will be required to meet specific criteria, such as completing school, avoiding crime, and maintaining employment, to stay out of adult prison.
In addition to implementing blended sentencing, Tennessee voters will have the opportunity to vote on a bail reform measure in 2026, which aims to expand the list of violent charges for which a defendant can be held without bond. The state is taking proactive steps to address the issue of juvenile crime and hold serious offenders accountable for their actions while preventing future crimes through stricter punishments and requirements for rehabilitation.
