This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
Pleading No Contest Vs Guilty In Tarrant
Category:
State:
Multi-State
County:
Tarrant
Control #:
US-0018LTR
Format:
Word;
Rich Text
Instant download
Description
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FAQ
contest plea is a statement made by the defendant in a criminal case where they neither admit nor deny the charges against them but agree to accept punishment. Essentially, it's a way for the defendant to avoid admitting guilt while acknowledging that the prosecution has enough evidence to likely convict them.
There is a common myth that criminal charges are automatically removed after 7 years, however, this is simply not true.
How Long Does a No-Contest Plea Stay on Your Record in Texas? Both misdemeanor and felony convictions remain on your record indefinitely. A no-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).
If you plead guilty or no contest, the court will find you guilty and assess a fine as punishment. A plea of no contest has the same result as a plea of guilty, but it may not be used against you in any civil proceeding that might arise from the incident leading to your arrest.
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.
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.
A no contest plea will show up on a background check as a conviction. But if you did the case as a deal where you'd be exonerated after completing probation, that's not a conviction.
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.
A guilty plea is an affirmative admission of guilt. A no contest plea is not. Therefore if there are possible civil liability ramifications, such as responsibility for an auto accident, its better to plea no contest, if possible.
