Although a No Contest plea is a common alternative to a guilty or not guilty plea, it may or may not be the right choice for your criminal case. Continue below to learn what you need to know by reviewing these frequently asked questions about no contest pleas in Indiana.

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FAQS About No Contest Pleas

What is a No Contest Plea?

“No Contest”, or nolo contendere in legalese, literally translates to, “I do not wish to contend.” A No Contest plea is used as an alternative to pleading guilty or not guilty. Essentially, when a defendant chooses to plead no contest, they are neither admitting nor disputing the charges against them. Although a defendant does not admit guilt, the plea will elicit a criminal conviction in court. Accordingly, a No Contest plea is essentially the same as a guilty plea.

Many people confuse No Contest pleas to “Alford” pleas. Although nolo contendere pleas are similar to Alford pleas in that both do not admit guilt, they still accept the punishment under a guilty conviction. Under an Alford plea, a defendant is saying they are innocent, but will accept the guilty conviction and subsequent penalties. Under a nolo contendere plea, a defendant is not admitting guilt nor claiming to be innocent.

What are the Pros and Cons of Using a No Contest Plea?

There are many noted advantages of pleading no contest in a criminal case. As for benefits, nolo contendere pleas are wise in criminal cases that might also result in civil action. If a civil lawsuit were to arise, the defendant’s guilty conviction upon pleading no contest cannot be used as evidence against them. Additional benefits of a nolo contendere plea include:

▷ Lower Attorney Fees and Court Costs
▷ Shorter Trial Process
▷ Publicity/Reputation Protection
▷ Potential for Lighter Sentences
▷ Stopping Further Investigation

On the other hand, there are also some critical disadvantages of pleading no contest. First and foremost, a No Contest plea is essentially a guilty plea because it renders a guilty conviction and subsequent sentence. Basically, defendants are punished just as they would be had they entered a guilty plea. Additional disadvantages of No Contest pleas include having a conviction on your permanent.

How Do I Plead No Contest to My Criminal Charges?

Courts must grant approval before a defendant can enter a nolo contendere plea. So, your first step to determining your eligibility for pleading no contest would be to hire a criminal defense lawyer. They can arrange all the motions and paperwork asking the courts for permission to enter a No Contest plea. Some defendants will be denied.

Should I Plead No Contest to a Minor Charge?

Although they are a type of guilty plea, pleading no contest can be beneficial for you when facing minor criminal charges, especially if the prosecution is offering it in a plea deal. Most often, plea deals are used to negotiate, which is why they are also called plea bargains. Prosecution will offer a reduced charge or sentence in return for the defendant’s guilty plea, or in this case, a No Contest plea.

Do I Need a Lawyer if I Am Going to Plead No Contest?

It is important to discuss your plea options with your defense lawyer. Hopefully you choose to hire a private criminal attorney in Indianapolis, as public defenders are overloaded with cases and cannot put much time or focus on a defendant’s case like a private lawyer can. If you want the best possible outcome to your criminal case, you will need private, personal defense.

With your lawyer, you can decide which plea is the best fit for your criminal circumstance. Each case is different, and everyone’s criminal history is different, so your best options will differ from the defendant down the street. In fact, you cannot just choose a no contest plea; in most states, defendants require permission from the courts first.

Are you ready to fight your Indiana criminal charges and potential avoid having to enter a plea altogether? Contact Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with a seasoned Indianapolis IN criminal defense lawyer you can trust. We also represent defendants charged in Indiana but who live in another state.

Pros of a No Contest Plea

Not all states allow nolo contendere, so if yours does, you are already at an advantage. Furthermore, most cases of no contest pleas require preliminary permission from the courts; so, if you are permitted to make this type of plea, you are also in luck.

Another major benefit to a no contest plea is civil liability. Once a defendant pleads no contest, they are convicted and sentenced criminally, but their plea cannot be used as evidence of guilt later on if they face civil action by any victims of their crime.

Pleading no contest saves money on attorney fees and court costs since trail time is shortened. The more you must appear for trial, and the longer you fight a charge, the more money you are going to spend. No contest pleas reduce time and cost.

Furthermore, pleading no contest also takes a person out of the spotlight faster if they are in it, such as the case with local celebrities like news reporters, restaurant owners, and CEO’s. No contest pleas shorten the process and can let a person move on.

It is possible to receive a lighter sentence when pleading no contest, as compared to pleading guilty, going to trial, and being convicted. Generally, defendants are given lesser punishment following a no contest plea deal.

Cons of a No Contest Plea

Although there are several advantages of pleading no contest, there are always two sides to a story. No contest pleas can also render unpleasant outcomes. One of the most well-known disadvantages of pleading no contest is the fact that a defendant will be convicted, sentenced, subjected to penalties, and have a permanent criminal record. Additionally, a no contest plea can be used later on as an aggravated factor if the defendant is criminally charged again. Aggravated factors will increase the severity of punishment for a defendant.

Get Trusted Legal Advice For Your Indiana Criminal Charges

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a consultation with aggressive criminal defense attorney, David E. Lewis regarding your felony crimes. He will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms after being charged with invasion of privacy in Indianapolis. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges.

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Frequently Asked Questions About No Contest Pleas