What is it called when you plead guilty but don t admit guilt?
Asked by: Prof. Theodore Altenwerth Sr. | Last update: December 20, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (2 votes)
Nolo contendere (/ˌnoʊloʊ kənˈtɛndəri/) is a type of legal plea used in some jurisdictions in the United States. It is also referred to as a plea of no contest or no defense. It is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilty or not guilty.
What is the legal term for not admitting guilt?
A no-contest plea, also known as nolo contendere, is a legal option where the defendant neither disputes nor admits to the criminal charges. This type of plea allows the court to convict the defendant without the admission of guilt that accompanies a guilty plea.
Can you plead guilty without admitting guilt?
The Alford guilty plea is "a plea of guilty containing a protestation of innocence". The defendant pleads guilty, but does not have to specifically admit to the guilt itself. The defendant maintains a claim of innocence, but agrees to the entry of a conviction in the charged crime.
Can you plead guilty and then not guilty?
A guilty plea can be withdrawn all the way up until the point during court where the judge “accepts” the guilty plea. After that point, there is no right to withdraw the plea.
What does nolo mean?
Nolo means No Contest. This plea means you are not pleading guilty or not guilty, but simply accepting the charge and agreeing to the fine and sentence.
You're supposed to plead NOT GUILTY (even if you did it).
What is the meaning of Alford plea?
The name, Alford plea, is taken from the case North Carolina v. Alford . An Alford plea, also known as a "best-interests plea," registers a formal admission of guilt towards charges in criminal court while the defendant simultaneously expresses their innocence toward those same charges .
Which of the following means the defendant accepts punishment without admitting guilt?
A plea of nolo contendere, or no contest, is not an admission of guilt or innocence, but an agreement to any punishment given by the court as if a guilty plea had been entered. The judge must approve of the plea, and then the trial immediately proceeds to sentencing by the judge.
Why do people plead not guilty when they are guilty?
This strategic approach ensures that any plea agreement is the result of careful evaluation and informed decision-making. Even if you believe you are guilty, pleading not guilty allows you to explore all possible defenses and legal strategies, ensuring that justice is served in the most equitable manner possible.
Can you confess and still plead not guilty?
If you have confessed, you don't have to plead guilty, you can still fight the charges. To understand how to attack a false confession, it is important first to understand the interrogation tactics used by CID, NCIS, OSI and just about every law enforcement agency.
What is the difference between guilty and nolo contendere?
No Contest/Nolo Contendere
A plea in which the defendant does not contest the charge. Nolo contendere has the same legal effect as a guilty plea; however, it may not be used against the defendant as an admission of guilt in a civil suit based upon or growing out of the act upon which the criminal prosecution is based.
What is a standby plea?
A standby plea is another less common type of plea that involves a defendant entering a guilty or no contest plea while maintaining the right to appeal specific legal issues.
What is the Alford plea in Canada?
When you enter a so-called Alford plea, you maintain your innocence, but you admit that the government has enough evidence to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. When you enter an Alford plea, however, the judge will sentence you as if you did in fact plead guilty.
Is it worth pleading not guilty?
We strongly advise that you plead "NOT guilty" because you may leave the courtroom in handcuffs. It happens all the time. Remember, most of our clients never go to jail. Some people worry that if they plead “not guilty,” when they feel they are really guilty, that it could hurt them later.
What is unnecessary guilt called?
Many people suffer from what is sometimes called toxic or chronic guilt, which is closely related to a false and overwhelming sense of responsibility. This stems from their childhood environment and is carried into their adulthood and adult relationships, be they romantic, work, or others.
What does it mean without admitting guilt?
Pleading no contest (sometimes called nolo contendere) in a California criminal proceeding means that the defendant agrees to accept a conviction for the crime(s). However, he or she does not admit to being factually guilty when entering the plea.
Can I sue after being found not guilty?
If you are accused of a crime and acquitted or otherwise found not guilty of the offense, you can still face a civil lawsuit for the same incident. The Double Jeopardy clause only protects you from subsequent criminal prosecution in the legal system.
What is it called when you plead guilty without admitting guilt?
What is a “No Contest” Plea? In a California criminal case, pleading no contest (nolo contendere) means agreeing to accept a conviction for a crime but not admitting to being factually guilty when entering the plea.
Can a judge reject a confession?
These include threatening illegal actions, physically abusing the suspect, or holding the suspect at gunpoint during questioning. If the suspect is taken into custody and prevented from using the bathroom, or denied food or water, any resulting confession likely will be thrown out by a court.
Can you plead guilty and be innocent?
If you felt compelled to plead guilty to a crime that you did not commit or that you entered an invalid guilty plea, you may still have options. California law gives you the option of withdrawing your guilty plea, appealing your conviction, pursuing a writ of habeas corpus, or petitioning the CDCR for a resentencing ...
Do you go to jail right away if you plead guilty?
In most cases, you will not be taken directly to jail. Instead you will be given a period of time in which to complete your commitment. Jail alternatives such as electronic home detention and community service are commonly imposed instead of jail if you do not have criminal history.
Can you be found not guilty if you plead guilty?
For that reason, pleading guilty always results in a conviction — you waive your right to fight for the complete dismissal of the charges against you or for an acquittal (finding of not-guilty) in a trial. After you plead guilty, you will be sentenced. Depending on the crime, you may face fines, prison time, or both.
What is it called when you don't plead guilty or innocent?
California. In California, a nolo contendere plea is known as a West plea after a seminal case involving plea bargains, People v. West (1970) 3 Cal.
Does pleading guilty reduce your sentence?
You may be able to enter into a favorable plea agreement with the prosecutor if you agree to plead guilty. They may drop the charges to a less serious offense or agree to reduce your sentence. This can be extremely beneficial, especially if you face a jail or prison sentence.
What is it called when a defendant accepts a penalty without admitting guilt?
No Contest: A plea in a criminal case that allows the defendant to be convicted without admitting guilt for the crime charged. Also called nolo contendre.
Why should you never take a plea bargain?
Critics argue that plea bargains can result in innocent people pleading guilty to avoid the risk of a harsher sentence at trial. There are also concerns about the consistency and fairness of plea deals, as well as the potential for prosecutorial overreach.