When you are charged with a crime you have three options for a plea: guilty, not guilty, and no contest.
A guilty plea says you admit to the crime.
A not guilty plea says that you do not admit guilt, and you want your right to a trial. Not guilty pleas go to trial unless changed, as prosecutors only make plea deals with people who plead guilty or no contest.
A no contest plea says you agree to accept conviction but you don’t admit guilt. You’re basically saying: based on the facts you have gathered I see how you could come to this conclusion. I didn’t do it, but I admit that you could convict me if you went to trial.
In some cases a no contest plea is treated exactly like a guilty plea. It is also usually entered as part of a plea deal.
Jeffery Greco is an attorney providing legal services covering Criminal Defense and Criminal Defense: White Collar and Criminal Defense: DUI / DWI.
Jeffery Greco, who practices law in New York, New York, was selected to Super Lawyers for 2020 - 2023. This peer designation is awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. The Super Lawyers selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other cogent factors.
Prior to becoming an attorney, he studied at South Texas College of Law Houston. He graduated in 2004. After passing the bar exam, he was admitted to legal practice in 2005.
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