Whenever an indictment, special presentment, or accusation against a corporation doing business in this state is returned or filed in any court having jurisdiction over the offense, the clerk of the court shall issue an original and copy notice to the defendant corporation of the filing of the indictment, special presentment, or accusation, which copy notice shall be served by a sheriff upon any officer of the corporation who is found in his county; or, if there is no such officer in his county, then service shall be upon any agent of the corporation. The sheriff serving the copy notice shall make an entry of such service on the original notice and return the same to the court from which it issued. Such service shall be deemed service upon the corporation. Upon the return of the notice, executed as provided for in this Code section, the indictment, special presentment, or accusation shall stand for trial. At the trial, if the defendant corporation fails to appear, or appearing, fails to plead, the judge shall cause a plea of not guilty to be entered, and the trial shall proceed as though the defendant had appeared and pleaded. Upon the conviction of any corporation in any such trial, there shall be rendered against it a judgment for the fine imposed, together with the costs of the prosecution. Upon judgment, an execution shall issue against the property of the defendant.
History. Ga. L. 1889, p. 120, §§ 1, 2; Penal Code 1895, § 938; Penal Code 1910, § 963; Code 1933, § 27-1001.
Cross references.
Criminal responsibility of corporations generally, § 16-2-22 .
Structure Georgia Code
Chapter 7 - Pretrial Proceedings
Article 5 - Arraignment and Pleas Generally
§ 17-7-90. Issuance of Bench Warrant; Execution; Receiving Bail, Fixing Bond, and Approving Sureties
§ 17-7-94. Recordation and Effect of Plea of “Not Guilty” or of Standing Mute
§ 17-7-96. Prosecuting Officer to Enter Arraignment and Plea on Indictment or Accusation
§ 17-7-97. Proceedings Upon Failure of Clerk to Record Arraignment and Plea; Effect of Proceedings