What does it mean when someone pleas no contest in a case?
2006-10-03 13:28:23 · 14 answers · asked by Jenn 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No Contest essentially means "Not guilty, but I can't beat the evidence against me." It's a way of skipping a long trial that will certainly result in one's conviction (usually do to solid conrete evidence, or a bargain with the presecution) without admitting guilt. There's some very limited distinctions between No Contents and a Guilty plea.
Look it up.
2006-10-03 13:29:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In criminal trials in the United States, a plea of "nolo contendere" means that the defendant neither admits nor disputes the charge, and is an alternative to pleading guilty or not guilty. This is also called a plea of no contest or, more informally, a "nolo" plea. "Nolo contendere" is Latin and literally means "I do not want to contend it."
While not technically a guilty plea, it is made as a part of plea bargains and has the same effect as a guilty plea. However, in making such a plea, a defendant accepts that he or she will be found guilty by the court without ever admitting to the act(s) charged. "I didn't do it, but I'll never do it again."
Hope this helps
2006-10-03 13:32:45 · answer #2 · answered by GRISSIOM PURE GENIUS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With a "no contest" plea, you aren't admitting or denying anything. You simply are willing to accept any punishment that the Judge doles out to you. It does go on your permanent record & you are usually better of to contest it with a "not guilty" plea & take your chances with a jury, as you could come out with a clean slate & have nothing on your record.
2006-10-03 13:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't they also sometimes call it an Alford Plea? See Alford v. North Carolina.
Basically you remain silent on whether you admit guilt or claim innocence - and merely acknowledge that if the case went to trial, there would be evidence sufficient for a conviction.
But if the charge is thinking that you are cute - I am 100% guilty.
2006-10-03 13:37:26 · answer #4 · answered by stevehokie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means they are guilty as charged! and they dont have a case so to save time they plea no contest cause they dont have any evidence or info to fight the persecution so they pop a plea to get lesser time
2006-10-03 13:32:15 · answer #5 · answered by DUSTY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you aren't going to contest the charges against you in court. Not pleading "guilty" or "not guilty". It's kind of like keeping quiet and getting a spanking.
2006-10-03 13:31:05 · answer #6 · answered by forbidden_planet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"no contest" is not admitting guilt nor claiming innocence. The dependant is willing to take the risk of any judgement to be handed but is usually, in his favor for a lesser sentence than to go through a trial. It saves lots of time and money of both sides too.
2006-10-03 13:33:00 · answer #7 · answered by Liwayway 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is you are pleading guilty, but not because you did the crime, but because the crime is not worth defending yourself against. When you plead no contest, the conviction cannot be used against you in a future case. At lease that's my understanding. I plead it against a traffic ticket a couple of years ago.
2006-10-03 13:31:36 · answer #8 · answered by I like Chinese food 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That they are not taking a side, guilty or not guilty, most likely when this happen the judge needs to make a determination. EFIL
2006-10-03 13:30:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bascially you are pleaing nothing. Your not saying your guilty but, yet not saying your innocent either
2006-10-03 13:31:17 · answer #10 · answered by Sassy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋