If I am going to plea guilty, should I plea “No Contest” (or Nolo Contendere) instead?
A plea of “no contest” is a plea where an accused person neither admits nor disputes the charge. Under criminal law, it has the same immediate effect as a plea of “guilty”. However, it is sometimes a good idea to enter a plea of “no contest” to a charge. Especially if you could be sued in civil court from the same set of facts that brought you the criminal charge. A plea of “no contest” might prevent the criminal case from being used against you in a civil lawsuit.
