In a case, a plea is a person’s official response to a charge. It’s also the fate they decide to accept when they choose one option over another, which is the value of having an attorney.

A ‘No Contest’ Plea does not mean that you admit fault. ‘No Contest’ does mean that you accept the facts presented in the case, including the indictment, information, or complaint against you.

In other words, you admit the facts but do not accept responsibility for the guilt. This is an essential strategy if there’s enough evidence against you in a case and allows you to avoid a trial. The plea cannot be used against you later in any civil or criminal proceedings as another benefit.

What is a ‘Guilty’ Plea?

A ‘Guilty’ Plea means that you accept the facts, evidence, and information brought against you. This also means you agree with the charges and admit to committing the crime.

This is also known as plea bargaining. The “reward” for pleading guilty might involve having the charge reduced to a lesser sentence, having some counts of charges dropped, or having the sentence reduced below the maximum allowed by law.

Juries can be unpredictable, and trials are uncertain. Our attorneys can help you decide the right course of action, whether it’s a ‘No Contest’ plea versus a ‘Guilty’ plea depending on your charges.

Read More: What happens at an OVI checkpoint?

Is Pleading ‘No Contest’ to a Misdemeanor the Same as a Felony?

The option you choose, ‘No Contest’ or ‘Guilty,’ can impact you in another legal case. In most felony cases, a ‘No Contest’ plea is likely to have the same effect as a ‘Guilty’ plea. It can be considered an admission of guilt.

If someone was injured or hurt by your crime, your plea could be used against you in a civil lawsuit later. A DUI is a great example, as you could be charged with this offense and face an additional case for the injuries you caused.

Pleading ‘No Contest’ means there is no admission of guilt, and you can avoid a trial. A ‘Guilty’ plea, on the other hand, is an admission of guilt. Depending on the circumstantial evidence in a case, you don’t always get to choose.

How Can an Attorney Help Me?

Every decision has advantages and disadvantages, whether ‘No Contest’ or a ‘Guilty’ plea. Pleading guilty to a traffic violation versus pleading guilty to rape are two completely different circumstances, and the details matter in making the right decision.

As there are different pleas to consider when resolving a case, a criminal defense attorney can help you understand your options, which will help (or hurt) your claim, and determine your final sentence. A person charged with a criminal or traffic offense can choose from:

Contact our law firm at 513-548-5544 to understand better plea options and what might make sense for your case and criminal charges.