Under TCA 39-15-502, financial exploitation of an elderly adult is punished as what relative to theft?

Under TCA 39-15-502, financial exploitation of an elderly adult is punished as what relative to theft?

• A. Two grades higher than theft
• B. One grade higher than theft
• C. Same as theft
• D. Felony

Answer: (B)

This statute upgrades the punishment for theft when the victim is an elderly adult. Financial exploitation of an elderly adult is punished one grade higher than the usual theft offense, reflecting the higher harm and the vulnerability of the victim. It isn’t two grades higher, it isn’t the same as theft, and it isn’t simply labeled a blanket felony without regard to the theft baseline. The essence is that exploiting an elder financially carries a penalty one level up from the standard theft penalty.

This statute upgrades the punishment for theft when the victim is an elderly adult. Financial exploitation of an elderly adult is punished one grade higher than the usual theft offense, reflecting the higher harm and the vulnerability of the victim. It isn’t two grades higher, it isn’t the same as theft, and it isn’t simply labeled a blanket felony without regard to the theft baseline. The essence is that exploiting an elder financially carries a penalty one level up from the standard theft penalty.