2007-08-10 07:45:51 · 3 answers · asked by EvilFairies 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
In a criminal matter, both pleas of guilty and no contest normally carry the same consequence. The court will sentence you as if you plead guilty. However, there may be significant advantages of entering a plea of no contest should other events occur.
For example, if you are in an auto accident and are given a citation for running a red light, your guilty plea in a criminal case could later be used against you in a civil action by an injured party to prove that you ran the red light. However, it is possible that a no contest plea may not be used against you later to prove that you were at fault in the civil case.
2007-08-10 07:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While both have the same result with regard to jail time etc., if you plead "no contest" you are not admitting any guilt. This only becomes important if there is a civil lawsuit filed against you later. Let's say you drive recklessly and damage someone's property. You can plead no contest to the charge of reckless driving and still mount a defence against any lawsuit the property owner might level against you.
2007-08-10 14:57:05 · answer #2 · answered by Kitzlig 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A plea of guilty means that you admit to being guilty of whatever it is you are accused of. A plea of no contest is not saying your not innocent, but your not guilty either.
2007-08-10 14:53:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋