Is a plea of no contest with punishment given mean that there was a conviction?
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Is a plea of no contest with punishment given mean that there was a conviction?
Asked on November 10, 2010 under Criminal Law, Virginia
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
With a plea of no contest ("nolo contendere"), a defendant accepts the punishment for the crime without admitting or denying guilt. So basically you are not denying (or admitting) guilt but rather you are letting the court sentence you for the commission of a crime. the crime. Therefore, the effect of pleading no contest is basically the same as pleading guilty. You're convicted of a crime and a punishment or sentence will be imposed. However, since you don;t admit guilt the conviction can't be used against you later in a civil suit that may come out of the criminal activity.
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