What Are the Disadvantages of a No Contest Plea?
A no contest plea or nolo contendre is usually one of three options given to people when they are charged with any form of offense, from a simple traffic ticket to very serious crimes. This plea is quite specific and is a defendant’s way of stating he doesn’t necessarily agree with the charges, but isn’t going to contest them. This is not a statement of guilt, per se, though it is often interpreted in this manner. Usually, when a person makes a no contest plea, they are doing so for a plea bargain or to speed up a trial, but people considering nolo contendre do need to reflect on its disadvantages.