nolo contendere

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Definition

Noun: 1. (Law) A plea by a defendant in a criminal case that does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges, resulting in a conviction. It is a Latin term meaning "I do not wish to contend." While not an admission of guilt, it accepts the punishment as if a guilty plea had been entered. This plea is often used to avoid the legal consequences of an outright guilty plea in subsequent civil proceedings.

Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The defendant entered a plea of nolo contendere to the misdemeanor charge.
    • Upon advice of counsel, he chose nolo contendere to avoid the risk of a trial.
    • The judge accepted the nolo contendere plea and imposed a fine.
Advanced Usage
  • "to plead nolo contendere": The standard verb used with this legal term.
    • The company decided to plead nolo contendere to the antitrust allegations.
Variants and Related Words
  • No contest: The direct English translation and common alternative term for .
    • He entered a plea of no contest.
Synonyms
  • No-contest plea: The formal description of the plea type.
  • Non vult contendere: Another Latin legal phrase with a similar meaning ("he does not wish to contend").
Important Notes
  • Legal Specificity: This term is used almost exclusively in formal legal contexts, particularly in criminal law in the United States. Its availability and legal effects vary by jurisdiction.
  • Civil Liability: A key strategic reason for using this plea is that, in many jurisdictions, it cannot be used as an admission of guilt in a subsequent civil lawsuit related to the same incident, unlike a standard guilty plea.
Noun
  1. (law) an answer of `no contest' by a defendant who does not admit guilt but that subjects him to conviction

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