(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a court shall accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a defendant who is confined in a penal institution if the plea is made:
(1) in accordance with the procedure established by Article 27.18; or
(2) in writing, including a writing delivered by United States mail or secure electronic or facsimile transmission, before the appropriate court having jurisdiction in the county in which the penal institution is located, provided that:
(A) the defendant is notified by the court of original jurisdiction of the right to counsel and the procedures for requesting appointment of counsel, and is provided a reasonable opportunity to request a court-appointed lawyer;
(B) if the defendant elects to proceed without counsel, the defendant must waive the right to counsel in accordance with Article 1.051;
(C) the defendant must waive the right to be present at the taking of the plea or to have counsel present, if the defendant has counsel; and
(D) if the defendant is charged with a felony, judgment and sentence are rendered in accordance with the conditions and the procedure established by Article 42.14(b).
(b) In this article, “penal institution” has the meaning assigned by § 1.07, Penal Code.

Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 27.19

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • 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.
  • United States: includes a department, bureau, or other agency of the United States of America. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) Before accepting a plea submitted under Subsection (a)(2), the court shall verify that the person submitting the plea is:
(1) the defendant named in the information or indictment; or
(2) a person with legal authority to act for the defendant named in the information or indictment.

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