Nolo contendere

Nolo contendere (/ˌnoʊloʊ kənˈtɛndəri/) is a type of legal plea used in some jurisdictions in the United States. It is also referred to as a plea of no contest or no defense. It is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, and it serves as an alternative to pleading guilty or not guilty. A no-contest plea means that defendants refuse to admit nor deny guilt but accept punishment as if guilty, and is often offered as a part of a plea bargain.

Defendants who believe themselves to be innocent may choose this plea when the expected cost of contesting the charge exceeds the cost of accepting the penalty. If the likely punishment is minor, such as a small fine, probation or community service, it can be cheaper, faster, and less disruptive to plead no contest than pursue an acquittal at trial.

The plea is recognized in United States federal criminal courts, and many state criminal courts. In many jurisdictions, a plea of nolo contendere is not a typical right and carries various restrictions on its use. Nolo contendere is a Latin phrase for "I do not wish to contend" (nōlō contendere, Latin pronunciation: [ˈnoːɫoː kɔnˈtɛndɛrɛ]).