What does no contest mean?
2007-02-09 03:46:09 · 8 answers · asked by Hank Hill 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
. In criminal law, a defendant's plea in court that he/she will not contest the charge of a particular crime, also called "nolo contendere." While technically not an admission of guilt for commission of the crime, the judge will treat a plea of "no contest" as such an admission and proceed to find the defendant guilty as charged. A "no contest" plea is often made in cases in which there is also a possible lawsuit for damages by a person injured by the criminal conduct (such as reckless driving, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault), because it cannot be used in the civil lawsuit as an admission of fault. "No contest" is also used where there has been a "plea bargain" in which the defendant does not want to say he/she is guilty but accepts the sentence recommended by the prosecutor in exchange for not contesting the charge (which is often reduced to a lesser crime). It is standard practice for the judge to ask either the attorneys or the defendant, "Is there a factual basis for the plea?" before accepting it and finding the defendant guilty.
2007-02-09 03:48:46 · answer #1 · answered by ~Just A Girl~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"No Contest" can mean different things in different states. Mainly it means you are not contesting the charge but do not wish to plead guilty. In the State of Michigan, a "No Contest" plea is treated the same as a Guilty plea for sentencing purposes. A "No Contest" plea can also protect from liability in some circumstances because it is not a direct admission of guilt.
2007-02-09 03:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by Scottee25 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a nonsense invented to clear the courts of minor trials. It's really a 'guilty, but I'm sorry' plea. It's particularly good for politicians and entertainers. They don't actually fight cases where they are clearly guilty, and clog up the courts - which they can do because they are rich. In return, the court enters a plea of 'no contest' with a lower sentence than would otherwise have been given.
Both sides win - the entertainer gets to say they weren't found guilty, and the courts don't have to spend our money convicting someone despite their high priced attorneys.
2007-02-09 03:52:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Also known as "nolo contendere." No contest means that the defendant will not plead guilty but will raise no defense to the claims of the prosecutor. In other words, he/she is saying that they are not guilty or innocent, but that they will not defend themselves at trial or challenge a conviction. The defendant has no recorded confession of guilt and no trial is required for finding guilt. Sentencing occurs immediately after no contest plea, as it would upon a guilty plea.
2007-02-09 08:46:40 · answer #4 · answered by Çåŗőľîņẫ§ħŷġĭ®ł 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you are neither guilty of the charges, but choose not to plead not guilty. Usually in a ticket this means you wont be charged but have to pay the fine. It is the same as nolo contendere
2007-02-09 03:50:54 · answer #5 · answered by vapeaceout 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you hand nothing to do with it, but you are pleaing for a lesser sentence
2007-02-09 03:48:37 · answer #6 · answered by cjordan23 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you agree to take the punishment for the crime without actually admitting guilt.
2007-02-09 03:48:49 · answer #7 · answered by huduuluv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means you won't fight the charges, but you aren't saying that you are guilty either
2007-02-09 03:48:31 · answer #8 · answered by Antis Suck 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋