Which term describes a defendant's plea that neither admits nor denies the charges?

Which term describes a defendant's plea that neither admits nor denies the charges?

• A. Alford plea
• B. Guilty
• C. Nolo contendere
• D. Not guilty

Answer: (C)

No contest, or nolo contendere, is a plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but also does not dispute the charges. The court accepts it like a guilty plea for purposes of sentencing, yet it cannot be used as an admission of guilt in most related civil cases. This distinguishes it from a guilty plea (an explicit admission of guilt) and a not guilty plea (a denial of the charges). It’s also different from an Alford plea, where the defendant maintains innocence but pleads guilty because the evidence suggests a likely conviction.

No contest, or nolo contendere, is a plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but also does not dispute the charges. The court accepts it like a guilty plea for purposes of sentencing, yet it cannot be used as an admission of guilt in most related civil cases. This distinguishes it from a guilty plea (an explicit admission of guilt) and a not guilty plea (a denial of the charges). It’s also different from an Alford plea, where the defendant maintains innocence but pleads guilty because the evidence suggests a likely conviction.