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Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 554

  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • 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.
  • 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.

A defendant shall plead when arraigned.  If he stands mute, refuses to plead, or pleads evasively, a plea of not guilty shall be entered of record.  When a defendant is a corporation and fails to appear for arraignment when summoned, a plea of not guilty shall be entered of record.