What constitutes a "minor" offense in Tennessee law?

In Tennessee law, a "minor" offense is characterized as a less serious offense that is typically punishable by a fine rather than imprisonment. This distinction is significant because it suggests that minor offenses are generally not associated with severe legal repercussions like incarceration. Instead, they often result in monetary penalties or other remedies that do not implicate the criminal justice system's more severe measures.

Minor offenses might include misdemeanors or infractions, which are administrative violations or minor criminal acts that do not warrant jail time. This classification allows law enforcement and the judicial system to focus more heavily on serious offenses that pose greater risks to public safety. Understanding this classification also helps officers and legal practitioners in Tennessee navigate the legal ramifications and appropriate responses to various types of offenses they may encounter in their duties.