Guilty vs. No Contest - What's the Difference?

What’s the difference between pleading Guilty and pleading No Contest? (also known as “Nolo Contendere”)

When you plead Guilty, you are admitting that you committed the crime that you’re accused of.

When you plead No Contest, you’re not admitting that you’re Guilty, but it has the exact same effect as pleading Guilty, meaning that the Court is then free to punish you up to and including the maximum punishment.

The ONLY difference? If you plead No Contest, then your eventual punishment cannot be used against you in a civil suit arising out of the criminal conduct.

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