Pleading no contest, also known as a nolo contendere plea, is a legal term that comes from the Latin phrase for "I do not wish to contend". It is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilty or not guilty. When a defendant pleads no contest, they are not explicitly admitting guilt, but they are accepting the conviction and the punishment as if they were guilty. The result of a no-contest plea is the same as if the defendant had admitted guilt.

A no-contest plea is often offered as part of a plea bargain. It can be used to avoid a factual admission of guilt, secure a favorable sentence, or gain the benefit of being charged with a lesser offense. However, in felony cases in most jurisdictions, a no contest plea has the exact same effect as a guilty plea and can be used as an admission of guilt in any other legal proceeding, including civil cases.

It is important to note that a plea of no contest is not a typical right and carries various restrictions on its use. In many jurisdictions, a plea of nolo contendere requires the courts consent. A defendants no contest plea to criminal charges does not estop that defendant from denying responsibility in a later civil action arising from the same conduct.

In summary, pleading no contest means that the defendant accepts the conviction and the punishment as if they were guilty, without explicitly admitting guilt. It is often used as part of a plea bargain and can have different implications depending on the jurisdiction and the type of case.