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 Washington
Category:
State:
Multi-State
Control #:
US-0018LTR
Format:
Word;
Rich Text
Instant download
Description
Form popularity
FAQ
Pleading not guilty means that you say you didn't do the crime. Or that you did, but you had an excuse which the law recognises as a defence. The court will then have a trial to decide whether you're guilty. If the court decides that you are guilty, you'll be convicted. The court will decide what sentence to give you.
When facing criminal charges in Washington State, you have three plea options: guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Pleading guilty means admitting to the offense and proceeding directly to sentencing. Pleading no contest also leads to sentencing, but without admitting guilt.
A plea of nolo contendre (latin for “I am unwilling to contest”) is a plea recognized in US law, but does not have any foundation in Canadian criminal law. It is prohibited by virtue of s. 606(1) which lists all valid pleas. A guilty plea that in substance amounts to a plea of nolo contendre will be invalid.
The American justice system is based on English common law. Nolo contendere, too, comes from this English legal foundation. This plea of “no contest” essentially worked the same way then that it does now: a defendant has the right to accept punishment without admitting guilt.
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.
By maintaining a not guilty plea, you retain the leverage needed to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement. This could result in lesser charges, reduced sentences, or alternative sentencing options that might not be available if you initially plead guilty.
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 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.
More info
Pleading guilty means admitting to the offense and proceeding directly to sentencing. Pleading no contest also leads to sentencing, but without admitting guilt.Pleading no contest implies that you accept the evidence against you without explicitly stating that you are guilty. A plea of "no contest" implies only that the defendant has declined to present a defense, and would normally result in a conviction in the case. The most significant difference between pleading guilty and no contest is the admission of guilt associated with the charge. A no contest plea is an option where you do not admit that you committed a crime, but you do not attest that you are innocent either. Pleading "No Contest" is merely acknoweldging that the State has enough evidence to convict you without you pleading guilty. A not guilty plea and a resulting PBJ are not the same as a nolo contendere or no contest plea. _____ (qq) If I am pleading guilty to Animal Cruelty in the First Degree I will be permanently prohibited from owning, caring for, or residing with any animal. When a judge asks a defendant how they plead to a charge during an arraignment hearing, a defendant can enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
