This plea is the same as guilty except for some technical differences. A no-contest plea has the same effect as a guilty plea during the sentencing phase of a trial. So in this way, it is the same as pleading guilty. No contest means that you do not agree with what you were charged with, however, you will accept the … While the judge will advise the client, when the plea is entered, that a no contest plea has the same legal effect as a guilty plea, there are some advantages to a no contest plea over a guilty plea, such as: No Contest. Therefore, pleading “no contest” is a way for a defendant to maintain his/her innocence while accepting the consequences of a conviction. For all intents and purposes, a no-contest plea that has the same implications is a guilty plea for the defendant. If you enter a plea of No Contest, you are not admitting that you committed the crime, violation, or offense of which you have been charged – but you are admitting to the facts alleged against you – and you will be found GUILTY! You can plead no contest and ask for traffic school, that will keep you from getting a point on your driving record. Pleading guilty in a court of law means that the defendant admits the charges against them. Rather, you admit that the STate can prove the case against you. Then comes “No Contest”, or “Nolo Contendere” (which is Latin for no contest. Even though the judge will eventually adjudicate the defendant guilty, there is no record of the defendant admitting to committing the crime. In most California DUI cases, you have the option of pleading “No Contest” rather than guilty. Generally, the defendant will receive a conviction and a sentence after pleading no-contest. When a guilty plea is entered, the defendant has no defense for his actions and the court moves forward with the punishment phase. And, while the details will be kept private with a no-contest plea, you will still have a criminal record. The no-contest plea is similar to pleading guilty–but with some advantages. A guilty plea does not have the same benefit in civil court as a no contest plea has. No Contest vs. Guilty Plea. NO-CONTEST: means you do not admit to committing the crime nor do you deny committing the crime. What does a “No Contest” plea mean in a DUI case? Also known by its Latin translation, “nolo contendere,” a no-contest plea means that you submit to criminal punishment, but you neither deny nor admit that you committed the crime. Types of Plea Bargains For both no contest and guilty plea bargains, plea bargains can be negotiated on four fronts; although, charge and count bargaining are the most common, and the others are generally discouraged from being used. For sentencing purposes, either a plea of Guilty or No-Contest will result in the same sentence. Instead, the defendant is not contending the charge either way. A no-contest plea is similar to a guilty plea in that the defendant is accepting punishment for his or her actions. Pleading no contest will not mean that you do not get a point, it is as my colleagues have said not admitting guilt, but it is treated the same way as a guilty plea by criminal courts. When our client is truly not guilty and does not want to admit guilt, yet does not want to go to trial, a no contest plea is preferable. This plea is the least understood and most often used. The defendant admits no guilt in a “no contest” plea. Lawyers love using Latin). Posted in: Criminal Law. Implications of “No-contest” Pleas in Civil Court? Pleading no contest is an alternative to a guilty or not guilty plea. However, “no contest” does not mean the defendant admits guilt. 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