2007-08-20 08:09:54 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Pleading no contest is an admission of guilt
Not guily means not guilty.
2007-08-20 08:15:06 · answer #1 · answered by Glen B 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No contest means you're just willing to accept the penalty and get on with it. It does not equal accepting guilt.
It's often used when the penalty is less than the what going to court would be, like speeding tickets. Or if the evidence against you is overwhelming and you know you can't win, you can plead no contest to get a lesser sentence.. which may be attractive even if you are innocent. You're also not saying that you are guilty, just that you can't fight the evidence.
2007-08-20 08:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We've been advised of our rights, and rather than plead the Fifth, we buckled down with our court-appointed attorney to get to the bottom of this litigious quandary.
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.
2007-08-20 08:15:19 · answer #3 · answered by phirephoto 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
What's the difference between pleading no contest and not guilty?
2015-08-19 13:28:24 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pleading guilty is saying that you did commit the crime. Pleading no contest is when someone neither disputes to nor admits to a charge. Pleading not guilty is saying that you did not commit the crime.
People here who are saying it is the same as a guilty plea are wrong. While it is technically not a guilty plea, it carries with it mostly the same punishments of a guilty plea. That is why many people confuse the two. A no contest plea is often used in the practice of plea bargaining.
2007-08-20 08:15:17 · answer #5 · answered by greencoke 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No contest or nolo contendre means that you are not admitting to guilt nor or you proclaiming innocence. A nolo contendre plea means the judge alone weighs the evidence and decides whether you are innocent or guilty. No contest pleas are often taken by the guilty in the hopes of a reduced sentence because the court hasn't been burdened by the need for an expensive trial. Hence, many, (including, wrongfully, some judges), believe it is guilty plea.
Not guilty means that the court has the burden of proof of your guilt or innocence.
2007-08-20 08:35:04 · answer #6 · answered by wry humor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only difference really is that when you plead no contest, all your really saying is, I did it, but I am not going to say that out loud. Or saying I realize the evidence against me is pretty convincing, so i will not contest the evidence, however I will not give you and admission of guilt either. its like a catch 22
2007-08-20 08:16:01 · answer #7 · answered by ?? yaddajean ?? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pleading no contest ends the case. Not guilty pushes the case to the next step.
2007-08-20 08:15:40 · answer #8 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
not guilty means you didn't do it. no contest means you don't agree with the idea of the charge itself.
2007-08-20 08:17:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that no contest means that you are not admitting to guilt, but you do not have the evidence to beat the rap.
2007-08-20 08:37:33 · answer #10 · answered by Bibs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋