(a) Any property on which it is found to have telephone, electric, gas, sanitary sewer, or water utilities tampered with in violation of § 65-35-102, and capable of receiving telephone, electricity, gas, sanitary sewer, or water service as a result of the use of any method of diversion prohibited in that section, is prima facie evidence and creates against the tenant or occupant a presumption of intent to tamper or divert in violation of § 65-35-102.(b) The presence upon property served by a utility of a metering device altered to improperly monitor the amount of utility service used on or by such property is presumptive evidence that the utility customer has diverted or used utility service with the intent to deprive or defraud the utility from receiving proper charges or payment for such utility service in violation of this chapter.Acts 1990, ch. 851, §3; 1997 , ch. 116, § 5.
Tennessee Legal Code