(a)      In this section, "corporation" includes a joint-stock company and an association.

      (b)      If a charging document is filed against a corporation, the clerk of court may issue a summons to the corporation in its corporate name to appear at the court to answer the charging document.

      (c)      A summons served under subsection (b) of this section may be served in the same manner as provided for service of process in a civil suit under the Maryland Rules.

      (d)      (1)      If a sheriff or other officer returns a summons served under this section as "summoned" or "served":

                  (i)      the corporation to whom the summons was issued shall be considered as in court and as appearing to the charging document; and

                  (ii)      the court shall order the clerk to enter an appearance for the corporation and to endorse a plea of not guilty on the charging document.

            (2)      After the clerk makes the entry and endorsement specified in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, further proceedings may occur concerning the charging document in the same manner as if the corporation had appeared and pleaded not guilty.

      (e)      (1)      If a corporation is served a summons under this section and is convicted on the charging document, a court may:

                  (i)      pass a judgment concerning the charging document; and

                  (ii)      issue process of execution to the sheriff of the county against the property of the corporation for the amount of the fine and costs that may be awarded against the corporation in the same manner as on a judgment in a civil action.

            (2)      A sheriff shall sell the property of the corporation on an execution under paragraph (1) of this subsection in the same manner as on an execution issued in a civil suit.