What is the difference between pleading guilty and pleading no contest?
2006-07-11 04:51:52 · 14 answers · asked by mlksnorden 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Guilty = I did it!
No contest = I will not contest the charges against me, but I don't admit my guilt.
2006-07-11 04:54:39 · answer #1 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A boring but effective law dictionary gave us some good advice. It turns out the differences between pleas of "guilty" and "no contest" only become relevant in certain situations. One of the most common reasons why defendants plead no contest to criminal charges is if they're also facing the possibility of civil lawsuits.
For example, say someone is charged with reckless driving. If this defendant pleads "no contest" to the charges in criminal court, that verdict cannot be used against the person if a civil suit is filed later. Why? Because it's not an admission of guilt. However, everything else that came out in the criminal trial can be used as evidence. Still, it can be a smart move under certain circumstances.
A big disadvantage of pleading "no contest" is that the defendant doesn't get a day in court. And a plea of "no contest" doesn't get the defendant out of punishment. However, if the defendant is particularly worried about a public trial (a common problem for celebrities) or honestly doesn't remember the circumstances which led to the charges, "no contest" can be the way to go.
Finally, here's our version of a legal disclaimer -- our legal experience consists mainly of Matlock reruns, so please check with a lawyer before opening your mouth in court.
2006-07-11 04:55:39 · answer #2 · answered by Stars-Moon-Sun 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pleading guilty means just asking for forgiveness after a serious crime has been commited.in this situation,one has to admit that he or has commited the crime and then plead to be forgiven .in the other way round ,you plead for contest when you are free of any crime but you really want to be peace maker.in this situation , you are then just trying to be good.
2006-07-11 05:00:20 · answer #3 · answered by aska06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in pleading not guilty you are saying you are totally innocent of the charges. In pleading no contest, it means you are not pleading guilty to the charges, but you are not contesting them either.
2006-07-11 04:54:53 · answer #4 · answered by a_phantoms_rose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pleading "No contest" is not an admission of guilt but an agreement that there is probably enough evidence to convict.
2006-07-11 04:54:48 · answer #5 · answered by Jet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By pleading no contest, you are not admitting culpability, just accepting the consequences regardless of whether you actually are responsible or not.
2006-07-11 05:04:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anon28 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did it... no contest mens that you are saying that you did it but you dont think you did anything wrong. Guilty means well... you know. Guilty of doing something wrong. Either way get a lawyer.
2006-07-11 04:55:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I plead the 5th!
2006-07-11 04:54:59 · answer #8 · answered by Diesel Weasel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guilty as charged.
No contest means assuming guilt although admitting no wrong doing.
2006-07-11 04:54:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
aha, the old nolo contendere--i believe kja63 would get an A for her answer. not guilty by reason of insanity or mental defect is my favorite.
2006-07-11 06:07:26 · answer #10 · answered by drakke1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋