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TCA 39-11-404

Corporate liability

MISDEMEANORMisdemeanor

What does this charge mean?

A corporation can be charged with a crime if: (1) it intentionally fails to perform a legal duty, (2) top management authorized or allowed the crime, or (3) an employee committed a misdemeanor or a crime where the law intends for corporations to be liable. A corporation can be treated as a criminal defendant in court.

Penalty Details

ClassificationMisdemeanor
Penalty SummaryMisdemeanor
(a) A corporation commits an offense when: (1) The conduct constituting the offense consists of an intentional failure to discharge a specific duty imposed upon corporations by criminal law; (2) The conduct constituting the offense is engaged in, authorized, commanded or knowingly tolerated by the board of directors or by a high managerial agent acting within the scope of the agent’s employment on behalf of the corporation; or (3) The conduct constituting the offense is engaged in by an agent of the corporation acting within the scope of the agent’s employment and on behalf of the corporation, and: (A) The offense is a misdemeanor; or (B) The offense is one defined by statute which indicates a legislative intent to impose criminal liability on a corporation. (b) The following definitions apply in this part, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) “Agent” means any officer, director, servant or employee of the corporation or any other person authorized to act on behalf of the corporation; and (2) “High managerial agent” means an officer of a corporation or any other agent of a corporation who has duties or such responsibility that the agent’s conduct reasonably may be inferred to represent the policy of the corporation.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR
TCA Section39-11-404