No contest, also referred to as nolo contendere or non vult contendere (Latin), is a plea in criminal court that is used as an alternative to admit or not guilty. When a defendant pleads no contest, they neither admit or deny responsibility even though the court treats a no-contest plea as a conviction.
A no-contest plea could be used in a situation where a defendant may not wish to admit to a crime or may believe they have no reasonable defense to the allegations of the prosecutor. A no-contest plea allows a person to avoid the potential consequences of admitting guilt and subject themselves to the judgment of the court without admitting responsibility.
Many states allow a no-contest plea in criminal misdemeanor cases such as traffic violations. In cases involving civil claims or lawsuits, a no-contest plea could also be used. For example, if a person involved in a civil lawsuit does not wish to admit liability for a civil claim, they may choose to plead no contest to avoid the risk of admitting guilt, which could ultimately be used against them in civil court.
Pros and Cons of Pleading No Contest
Pleading no contest can be beneficial for defendants in certain situations and can even help avoid costly litigation and other legal consequences. For example, admitting guilt to a criminal charge can prevent a person from holding certain positions such as for a teaching job or a license job. Additionally, no-contest pleas can also help a defendant avoid the potential criminal and civil liabilities associated with admitting guilt.
The downside to pleading no contest is that a person does not know the exact nature of sentencing that will be imposed. Furthermore, even though no admission is made of guilt in a no-contest plea, the plea will still be seen as an admission of guilt, and the court may still levy the same punishment as if a person had pleaded guilty.
Conclusion
No contest is a plea available to defendants in criminal and civil cases that avoids admitting liability to a claim but still allows a court to render a judgment. It can be beneficial in certain cases, such as when a defendant does not wish to admit to a crime or civil claim. However, the exact nature of the judgment handed down by the court and the possible consequences of the plea remain unknown until sentencing.