This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
Not Guilty You can later decide to change your plea to guilty or no contest if you wish. If you plead not guilty you will have a pretrial conference to try to settle your case. There is no penalty for pleading not guilty. Your sentence will not be more severe or less severe based merely on how you plead.
contest plea will result in a permanent criminal record for both types of offenses unless you successfully petition for expungement or an order of nondisclosure (sealing).
Again since accepting a plea bargain means pleading guilty, the defendant may still encounter some drawbacks of a criminal conviction. The offenses admitted via a guilty plea could appear on the defendant's criminal records and background checks.
Pleading guilty means you admit that you committed the crime. Pleading no contest (“nolo contendere”) means accepting the conviction but avoiding a factual admission of guilt.
contest plea will result in a permanent criminal record for both types of offenses unless you successfully petition for expungement or an order of nondisclosure (sealing).
Note that you do not always have the option of pleading no contest instead of pleading guilty. Sometimes prosecutors insist that you plead guilty as part of a plea bargain. And judges do not always have to accept no contest pleas. No contest pleas still result in a conviction.
No Admission of Guilt: The lack of an admission of guilt allows the defendant to maintain a certain level of denial regarding the crime in other legal or personal contexts, which can be crucial for their reputation.
You admit to the allegation. No contest means that you do not admit to actually committing the allegation, you merely admit that the State can produce sufficient evidence for you to be found guilty. In general, no contest is the better way to go, but it probably wouldn't make much difference in your situation.
Pleading guilty means you admit that you committed the crime. Pleading no contest (“nolo contendere”) means accepting the conviction but avoiding a factual admission of guilt.
Pleading guilty means you admit that you committed the crime. Pleading no contest (“nolo contendere”) means accepting the conviction but avoiding a factual admission of guilt.