Sec. 12.51. AUTHORIZED PUNISHMENTS FOR CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES, AND OTHER BUSINESS ENTITIES. (a) If a corporation, an association, a limited liability company, or another business entity is adjudged guilty of an offense that provides a penalty consisting of a fine only, a court may sentence the corporation, association, limited liability company, or other business entity to pay a fine in an amount fixed by the court, not to exceed the fine provided by the offense.

(b) If a corporation, an association, a limited liability company, or another business entity is adjudged guilty of an offense that provides a penalty including imprisonment, or that provides no specific penalty, a court may sentence the corporation, association, limited liability company, or other business entity to pay a fine in an amount fixed by the court, not to exceed:

(1) $20,000 if the offense is a felony of any category;

(2) $10,000 if the offense is a Class A or Class B misdemeanor;

(3) $2,000 if the offense is a Class C misdemeanor; or

(4) $50,000 if, as a result of an offense classified as a felony or Class A misdemeanor, an individual suffers serious bodily injury or death.

(c) In lieu of the fines authorized by Subsections (a), (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4), if a court finds that the corporation, association, limited liability company, or other business entity gained money or property or caused personal injury or death, property damage, or other loss through the commission of a felony or Class A or Class B misdemeanor, the court may sentence the corporation, association, limited liability company, or other business entity to pay a fine in an amount fixed by the court, not to exceed double the amount gained or caused by the corporation, association, limited liability company, or business entity to be lost or damaged, whichever is greater.

(d) In addition to any sentence that may be imposed by this section, a corporation, an association, a limited liability company, or another business entity that has been adjudged guilty of an offense may be ordered by the court to give notice of the conviction to any person the court deems appropriate.

(e) On conviction of a corporation, an association, a limited liability company, or another business entity, the court shall notify the attorney general of that fact.

(f) In this section, "business entity" has the meaning assigned by Section 7.21.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1917, ch. 768, Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1085, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1258), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.