No contest, also known as nolo contendere, is a plea in a criminal or civil case where the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment as if they were guilty. By entering a no contest plea, the defendant neither admits nor disputes the charges, allowing for a swifter resolution of the case without the need for a trial. In criminal cases, a no contest plea may result in a conviction and sentencing, while in civil cases, it may lead to a judgement against the defendant. One of the main benefits of pleading no contest is that it cannot be used as an admission of guilt in subsequent civil lawsuits related to the same incident.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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