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Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure – 2026

The Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure govern criminal proceedings in the state courts, covering preliminary proceedings, indictment, arraignment and pleas, pretrial motions, trial, sentencing and post-trial relief.

Browse all 80 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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I. Scope—Purpose—Construction. II. Preliminary Proceedings III. Indictment and Information. IV. Arraignment and Pretrial V. Venue VI. Trial VII. Judgment VIII. Appeal IX. Supplemental and Special Proceedings X. General Provisions

I. Scope—Purpose—Construction.

Rule 1 Scope and Definitions Rule 2 Purpose and Construction

II. Preliminary Proceedings

Rule 3 The Affidavit of Complaint Rule 3.1 [Reserved] Rule 3.2 [Reserved] Rule 3.3 [Reserved] Rule 3.4 [Reserved] Rule 3.5 Criminal Citation Rule 4 Arrest Warrant or Summons on a Complaint Rule 5 Initial Appearance Before Magistrate Rule 5.1 Preliminary Hearing

III. Indictment and Information.

Rule 6 The Grand Jury Rule 7 Indictments, Presentments and Information Rule 8 Joinder of Offenses and Defendants Rule 9 Capias or Summons upon Indictment or Presentment

IV. Arraignment and Pretrial

Rule 10 Arraignment Rule 11 Pleas Rule 12 Pleadings and Motions Before Trial; Defenses and Objections Rule 12.1 Notice of Alibi Rule 12.2 Notice of Insanity Defense or Expert Testimony of Defendant's Mental Condition Rule 12.3 Notice of Intent to Seek Increased Sentence Rule 13 Consolidation or Severance Rule 14 Severance of Offenses and Defendants Rule 15 Depositions Rule 16 Discovery and Inspection Rule 17 Subpoenas Rule 17.1 Pretrial Conference

V. Venue

Rule 18 Venue Rule 19 [Reserved] Rule 20 [Reserved] Rule 21 Change of Venue Rule 22 [Reserved]

VI. Trial

Rule 23 Trial By Jury Rule 24 Trial Jurors Rule 24.1 Juror Information Rule 25 Disability of Judge Rule 26 [Reserved] Rule 26.1 [Reserved] Rule 26.2 Production of Statements of Witnesses Rule 26.3 Order of Expert Testimony Rule 27 [Reserved] Rule 28 Interpreters Rule 29 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal Rule 29.1 Closing Argument Rule 29.2 Interim Commentary Rule 30 Instructions Rule 30.1 Exhibits in Jury Room Rule 31 Verdict

VII. Judgment

Rule 32 Sentence and Judgment Rule 33 New Trial Rule 34 Arrest of Judgment Rule 35 Reduction of Sentence Rule 36 Clerical Mistakes Rule 36.1 Correction of Illegal Sentence

VIII. Appeal

Rule 37 Appeal Rule 38 Appeal of Denial of Pretrial Diversion Rule 39 [Reserved]

IX. Supplemental and Special Proceedings

Rule 40 [Reserved] Rule 41 Search and Seizure Rule 42 Criminal Contempt

X. General Provisions

Rule 43 Presence of the Defendant Rule 44 Right to and Assignment of Counsel Rule 45 Computing and Extending Time Rule 46 [Reserved] Rule 47 Motions Rule 48 Dismissal Rule 49 Serving and Filing Papers Rule 49.1 Facsimile Filing of Papers Rule 49.2 Electronic filings, signing, or verification Rule 50 Scheduling Cases Rule 51 Exceptions Unnecessary Rule 52 [Reserved] Rule 53 [Reserved] Rule 54 [Reserved] Rule 55 Records Rule 56 [Reserved] Rule 57 [Reserved] Rule 58 [Reserved] Rule 59 Effective Date Rule 60 Title