Who is ‘Peeping Tom’ anyway?
Legend has it in England that Lady Godiva to protest her husband’s oppressive taxes on the local citizens rode a horse through town naked. She requested that the citizens go inside and shut their blinds while she rode. One man, named Tom, bore a hole through his door to take a peek while the fine Lady rode past his cottage. ‘Peeping Tom’ earned his nickname and probably forever regretted his decision. Peeping Tom was also allegedly immediately struck blind. So, what are the ‘Peeping Tom’ laws in Tennessee?
Peeping Tom laws generally refer to laws intended to protect from voyeurs, or individuals who spy on others in a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Not all states have peeping tom laws, however Tennessee does.
In Tennessee, it is a criminal offense to:
– Spy or observe someone where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy if the observing would generally embarrass the person being viewed, or was for the purpose of sexual gratification of the defendant; (T.C.A. 39-16-607) (Observation without consent – Class A Misdemeanor)
– Photograph or video someone where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, if the photo or video would generally embarrass the person being photographed, or was for the purpose of sexual gratification of the defendant. (T.C.A. 39-13-605) (Unlawful photographing in violation of privacy – Class A Misdemeanor unless distributed then Class E Felony)
Peeping tom laws are fairly new in most states and in fact at common law, was not a crime. In 2002, a Louisiana woman was secretly video taped by her neighbor. At the time, there were no laws to protect her. The story was made into a movie called ‘Video Voyeur’ and helped pass laws criminalizing voyeurism in nine states.
With a former Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County prosecutor on staff, our criminal lawyers in Nashville have substantial experience with all types of criminal offenses. If you have been charged with any criminal offense in Tennessee, misdemeanor or felony, you should immediately discuss your case with a Nashville criminal attorney.
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