No Contest vs. Guilty

[Leadfoot]

I just got my first (and only!) DWI a few days ago. I'm not getting a lawyer because I know there's no way out of it anyway.

I was just wondering what's the difference between pleading Guilty or No Contest in court.

Thanks!

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

A plea entered by the defendant in response to being charged with a crime. If a defendant pleads nolo contendere, she neither admits nor denies that she committed the crime, but agrees to a punishment (usually a fine or jail time) as if guilty. Usually, this type of plea is entered because it can't be used as an admission of guilt if a civil case is held after the criminal trial.