(a) A defendant corporation or association appears through counsel.
(b) If a corporation or association does not appear in response to summons, or appears but fails or refuses to plead:

Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 17A.07

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(1) it is deemed to be present in person for all purposes; and
(2) the court shall enter a plea of not guilty in its behalf; and
(3) the court may proceed with trial, judgment, and sentencing.
(c) If, having appeared and entered a plea in response to summons, a corporation or association is absent without good cause at any time during later proceedings:
(1) it is deemed to be present in person for all purposes; and
(2) the court may proceed with trial, judgment, or sentencing.

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