What is nolo contendere plea?
Asked by: Lauryn Schmitt | Last update: February 8, 2026Score: 5/5 (46 votes)
A nolo contendere plea, or "no contest" plea, is when a defendant in a criminal case doesn't admit guilt but agrees to accept the punishment, essentially choosing not to fight the charges. It has the same effect as a guilty plea in the criminal case (leading to conviction and sentencing) but crucially prevents the plea from being used as an admission of guilt in related civil lawsuits, protecting the defendant from further liability.
Is nolo contendere good or bad?
A no-contest plea, also known as a nolo contendere plea, is one in which the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment as if they had pled guilty. This type of plea is often used when the defendant wants to avoid a lengthy trial or public admission of guilt.
What is the advantage of a nolo contendere plea?
A no contest plea (nolo contendere) lets you accept punishment for a crime without admitting guilt, offering benefits like avoiding a criminal conviction's use in separate civil lawsuits, saving time and trial costs, and potentially leading to faster case resolution, but it still results in a criminal record and conviction for sentencing. The main advantage is preventing the plea from being used as an admission of fault if you're sued for damages (e.g., in a car accident case), while still resolving the criminal charge quickly, sometimes with a lighter sentence.
What is the purpose of nolo contendere?
Someone pleads nolo contendere (no contest) to accept criminal penalties without admitting guilt, primarily to prevent that plea from being used as an admission of fault in a related civil lawsuit, saving time and money on trials, and potentially avoiding harsher jury sentences by going directly to a judge, though it's not available for all cases and requires court approval. It's essentially saying, "I won't fight the charges, but I'm not admitting I did it," agreeing to the punishment as if guilty.
How long does nolo contendere stay on record?
A no-contest plea (nolo contendere) results in a conviction and stays on your criminal record indefinitely, just like a guilty plea, but it prevents that specific plea from being used as an admission of guilt in a related civil lawsuit. While it's recorded as a conviction, its impact varies; for traffic offenses, it might avoid points but still appear on your driving record, while for other crimes, it remains a permanent part of your criminal history, potentially eligible for sealing or expungement later depending on state law.
The Difference Between a No Contest and Guilty Plea
Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court in Georgia?
In Georgia, you generally do not have to go to court if you pay your traffic ticket before the court date, as paying is considered pleading guilty and closes the case, but points may be added to your license. However, some serious offenses like DUI, driving on a suspended license, or reckless driving require a mandatory court appearance, and you must go if you can't pay online or want to contest the charge.
What are the benefits of pleading nolo contendere?
A no contest plea (nolo contendere) lets you accept punishment for a crime without admitting guilt, offering benefits like avoiding a criminal conviction's use in separate civil lawsuits, saving time and trial costs, and potentially leading to faster case resolution, but it still results in a criminal record and conviction for sentencing. The main advantage is preventing the plea from being used as an admission of fault if you're sued for damages (e.g., in a car accident case), while still resolving the criminal charge quickly, sometimes with a lighter sentence.
What is the hardest case to win in court?
The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
Is it better to play guilty or no contest?
Neither plea is inherently "better"; the choice between pleading guilty or no contest (nolo contendere) depends on your case, with the main difference being a guilty plea admits guilt (usable in civil cases), while a no contest plea avoids admitting guilt but still results in conviction and penalties, offering protection from civil liability in some instances, though outcomes vary by jurisdiction and charge type (felony vs. misdemeanor). A guilty plea is a formal admission of responsibility, whereas a no contest plea says you won't fight the charges but don't admit guilt.
Why do people plead no contest instead of guilty?
Legal Strategy: For defendants, a no-contest plea might be strategically preferable when the evidence against them is overwhelming, or if admitting guilt could lead to additional legal consequences, such as impacting immigration status or professional licensing.
What does nolo stand for?
In legal contexts, nolo (from Latin nolo contendere) means "I do not wish to contend" or "no contest," allowing a defendant to accept a penalty without admitting guilt, preventing the plea from being used as an admission of guilt in a later civil case. Outside of law, Nolo is also the name of a popular legal publisher known for do-it-yourself guides, derived from the Latin meaning "I choose not to," reflecting their mission to empower people to handle legal issues themselves.
Why would a suspect enter a plea of nolo contendere?
Someone pleads nolo contendere (no contest) to accept criminal penalties without admitting guilt, primarily to prevent that plea from being used as an admission of fault in a related civil lawsuit, saving time and money on trials, and potentially avoiding harsher jury sentences by going directly to a judge, though it's not available for all cases and requires court approval. It's essentially saying, "I won't fight the charges, but I'm not admitting I did it," agreeing to the punishment as if guilty.
Why should you never plead guilty?
You should never plead guilty without understanding the severe, life-altering consequences, as it creates a permanent criminal record, waives your rights (like a trial), and can lead to unforeseen issues with jobs, housing, immigration, or education, even if you later feel you were partially at fault or could have gotten a better deal, with a lawyer crucial for navigating complex plea bargains and potential defenses.
Can you fight a case after pleading no contest?
Some judges may be wary of defendants entering no contest pleas, and want them to admit guilt, seeing a guilty plea as the only way to show remorse. Judges may impose more significant penalties in these cases. The case is closed. After a no contest plea, you cannot continue fighting the case against you.
Do judges usually accept plea bargains?
Yes, judges overwhelmingly accept plea bargains because they are crucial for managing court dockets, but they are not required to and can reject deals if they seem unjust, too lenient/harsh, or lack a factual basis, often leading to renegotiation or trial. While most plea deals are approved, a judge has the discretion to accept, reject, or modify the terms, ensuring the agreement serves justice and public interest.
What is the stupidest court case?
We all know the most famous frivolous lawsuit story. Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's back in 1992 when she spilled hot coffee on herself. "But coffee is meant to be hot" we all cry. Dig a little deeper into the case however and it starts to look less frivolous.
Which lawyer wins most cases?
There's no single lawyer universally recognized for the most cases won, as records are hard to track and definitions vary, but Gerry Spence is famous for never losing a criminal case and a long civil win streak (until 2010), while Guyanese lawyer Sir Lionel Luckhoo holds a Guinness World Record for 245 successive murder acquittals, making them top contenders for different aspects of "most wins".
Has anyone ever won a case without a lawyer?
Yes, people absolutely win cases without lawyers (acting pro se), but it's significantly harder and less common, especially in complex criminal or civil cases, as courts hold self-represented individuals to the same standards as attorneys, requiring deep legal knowledge and courtroom skill. Successful pro se litigants often handle simpler matters like small claims, name changes, or uncontested divorces, though notable cases exist where individuals like Edward Lawson won Supreme Court battles, and others have won murder trials, proving it's possible with extensive preparation and understanding of weak points in the opposing case.
What is the advantage of nolo contendere?
A no contest plea (nolo contendere) lets you accept punishment for a crime without admitting guilt, offering benefits like avoiding a criminal conviction's use in separate civil lawsuits, saving time and trial costs, and potentially leading to faster case resolution, but it still results in a criminal record and conviction for sentencing. The main advantage is preventing the plea from being used as an admission of fault if you're sued for damages (e.g., in a car accident case), while still resolving the criminal charge quickly, sometimes with a lighter sentence.
Should I plead nolo contendere?
A nolo contendere plea may be appropriate "where the defendant would not be able to supply a sufficient factual basis for a guilty plea because he or she was intoxicated on the night of the incident, where there is the possibility of future civil litigation resulting from the offense, or where a defendant cannot ...
Who decides if nolo contendere is accepted?
It should be noted that the judge must approve of the no-contest plea, which isn't a guarantee. This is regularly done in almost all counties in California, except Orange County, which generally has a more complex stand on no-contest pleas.
What percentage of traffic tickets get dismissed?
While exact national figures vary, a small percentage of traffic tickets are dismissed outright, with estimates suggesting around 50% of contested cases (a small fraction of all tickets, maybe 3-5% of total) get dismissed or result in plea bargains, often due to officer absence or lack of evidence, though many drivers simply pay the fine. Success heavily depends on location, the specific violation, and having a strong defense or attorney, as officers don't always show up, leading to dismissals.
What is the best defense against a ticket?
The best defense against a traffic ticket involves challenging the officer's observations, showing the stop was illegal, presenting your own evidence (photos, video), questioning equipment accuracy (radar), claiming necessity (avoiding greater harm), proving mistaken identity, or seeking alternatives like traffic school, with hiring a lawyer often increasing success, especially for serious offenses.
How do I ask for a ticket to be deferred?
You must contact the court listed on your ticket and make your request for a deferred finding. If a judge grants a deferral, you'll need to pay the administrative fee. Failure to pay the fee will result in a finding that you committed the violation and it will go on your driving record.