Cal. Civ. Code § 29-18-133
Penalty for resuming possession.
Operative Text
(a) A person, once dispossessed by action, who again illegally possesses the premises, commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) The only evidence, required or admitted on the trial of the criminal charge, is that the defendant was turned out of possession by action brought for the purpose, and that the defendant has again taken possession of the premises.
Tennessee Code Ann. tit. 29, ch. 18 § 29-18-133 addresses what happens when someone who has already been removed from a property through a formal legal dispossession action returns and retakes possession without authorization. Under this provision, that act of re-entry constitutes a Class C misdemeanor under Tennessee law. The rule is notable for its streamlined evidentiary standard: at trial, the prosecution need only show that the person was previously removed by legal action and that they subsequently retook possession.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. tit. 29, ch. 18 § 29-18-133, property owners and managers who have successfully completed a dispossession action have a criminal-law backstop if the removed party returns and retakes the premises. Operators who document the original dispossession proceeding and any subsequent unauthorized re-entry preserve the two key pieces of evidence the statute identifies as sufficient for a criminal charge. Maintaining records of the court-ordered removal and promptly noting any unauthorized return to the property are practices consistent with enforcing rights under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenn. Code Ann. tit. 29, ch. 18 § 29-18-133 makes it a Class C misdemeanor for a person who has been legally dispossessed to return and retake possession of the same premises. Individuals who believe a dispossession action was improper or unlawful have legal avenues — such as appealing the underlying court order or raising procedural defenses — that are distinct from simply re-entering the property. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services in Tennessee can help individuals understand what options may exist to challenge a dispossession through proper legal channels rather than self-help re-entry.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 29, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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