05 Oct What Happens If You Plead “No Contest”?
You have the option to plead “no contest” if you are facing criminal charges in Arizona. A no contest plea means that you won’t fight the charges, but that you don’t admit any guilt. Instead of pleading not guilty and going to trial, you agree to accept the sentence that is ordered by the judge.
However, a no contest plea often has exactly the same results as a guilty plea. In most cases, you will still be convicted and sentenced for a crime. That’s why it’s important to know what a no contest plea means for your case before you agree to one.
What Does a No Contest Plea Mean?
Pleading “no contest” means that you aren’t admitting to being guilty of the criminal changes. But you aren’t claiming you’re innocent, either.
For instance, you might enter a plea of “no contest” if you unknowingly committed a crime. You don’t deny your actions—you just didn’t know they were illegal at the time. Since you did not intentionally break the law, you might not want to enter a guilty plea.
You will get fines or jail time just as you would with a guilty plea. So before you accept a no contest plea, your attorney will make sure that you understand you could still face the same penalties that you would if you enter a guilty plea.
What Happens If You Plead No Contest?
First, the court must accept your plea. The judge will make sure that you understand your charges and that you’re pleading no contest voluntarily. If the court accepts the plea, the judge will then proceed with sentencing.
You can face jail time, probation, fines, and more, depending on the charges you were given. A no contest plea can also become part of your criminal record.
How Is a “No Contest” Plea Different from Pleading Guilty?
Basically, it all comes down to whether you admit guilt or not. When you plead guilty, you admit that you knew you were doing something wrong when you committed the crime. When you plead no contest, you do not necessarily admit guilt, but you do agree that you are willing to accept the court’s judgment and sentence.
Pleading no contest helps you avoid the possibility of a long, stressful trial. If you plead “not guilty” the trial could take up to a year or more depending on the charges. As a result, court fees and attorney fees will cost more with a guilty plea since that type of trial takes more time to process and complete.
Entering a “no contest” plea could reduce your sentence. Prosecutors will always push for a guilty plea when they offer a deal, but they might be willing to offer a plea bargain for a no contest if you have a good lawyer.
Your Defense Attorney Will Advise You on How to Plead
Once you enter a plea, it’s very difficult to change it, so you need to make sure you understand the potential consequences. A no contest plea is legally valid, but it is not always the right thing to do.
Is pleading no contest the best decision for your case? Our attorneys can explain all of your options in detail. Contact Coolidge Law to talk it over with our criminal defense team. Our attorneys will review your case and explain your rights and advise you on the best course of action.
Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 10/04/26.
