8.10.1 Nolo Contendere

• Library: Criminal Procedure in Practice (ABA) (2018 Ed.)

8.10.1 Nolo Contendere

A plea of nolo contendere (no contest) is a declaration that the defendant will not contest the charge. It allows the defendant, without making an admission of guilt, to forego trial and accept punishment as if there were a plea of guilty. Unlike a guilty plea, a plea of no contest generally may not be used as direct evidence of guilt against the defendant in subsequent criminal trials or civil suits.⁸⁵ Jurisdictions vary in their acceptance of nolo pleas. Under the federal system, a plea of nolo contendere requires the consent of the court and may be accepted only after due consideration of "the parties' views and the public...