Burchett Moves Bill to Strengthen Child Pornography Penalties

Nashville, Tenn. – State Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) is continuing to advance legislation that will strengthen Tennessee’s laws against sexual predators.  Senate Bill 1778 unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

The bill provides that individuals that plead guilty to knowingly possessing child pornography would not be eligible for judicial diversion.

“People that have these images and files should not escape our justice system with a simple slap on the wrist,” said Burchett. “Current law even allows them to leave the system without a record.  We need to tighten this aspect of the law.”

Judicial diversion is a sentencing option that allows a judge to place a defendant that pleads guilty to certain offenses on probation.  If the defendant successfully completes the probationary period, the record of the conviction is expunged.

Senate Bill 1778 will now go to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee before going to the Senate floor for action by the full Senate. 

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