What is the primary difference between a guilty plea and a no contest plea?

A no contest plea, also known as "nolo contendere," is a legal plea in which a defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, effectively accepting conviction without admitting guilt. This type of plea has important implications, particularly regarding how it can be used in subsequent civil litigation. The primary difference lies in the fact that a no contest plea cannot be used against the defendant in a civil lawsuit that arises from the same incident. This allows the defendant to avoid the possible repercussions of acknowledging guilt, which could be detrimental in civil court.

In contrast, a guilty plea does involve an admission of guilt and, therefore, could potentially be used against the defendant in civil proceedings related to the same matter. This distinction becomes crucial when defendants are weighing their options in terms of potential civil liabilities that may arise from their criminal cases. By choosing a no contest plea, defendants can mitigate the risks associated with admitting guilt in a criminal context while avoiding self-incrimination in any related civil case.