QUESTION
What does it mean if you plead no contest?
Asked on Jan 15th, 2013 on Criminal Law - Florida
More details to this question:
Charges are Theft (it wasn’t intentional) I left the store not realizing I had not paid for everything so tech its left weather I knew or not so should I just plead no contest?
9 ANSWERS
John J. Carney
You should retain a good criminal lawyer to get the case dismissed or reduced to a violation. A no contest plea is the same as a guilty plea. You don't have to claim you did not know that the items were not paid for, no one will believe that story and they will feel that you are not taking responsibility for your actions. Your lawyer will tell you to go to trial if you are innocent and you know that it will not be easy to prove that it was all an "innocent mistake" which is what shoplifters tell their parents because they are embarrassed. If by chance you are totally innocent and had no "intent" to steal then go to trial if your lawyer thinks the jury will believe your story.
Answered on Mar 11th, 2013 at 8:09 PM
Geoffrey MacLaren Yaryan
No contest is the same as a guilty plea except that it cannot be used against you as a admission in a civil case against you by the store.
Answered on Jan 24th, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Michael J. Breczinski
Pleading no contest is the same as pleading guilty. The only difference is that you don't have to admit doing anything wrong. If you did not mean to steal the items and took them by mistake then it is not a crime. You have to intend to steal. You can't steal accidentally. Get a lawyer and fight the matter. You could get acquitted. The worst that you could have happen to you is being convicted. If you plead then you have just saved the State the trouble of prosecuting you and are still convicted of the very same thing.
Answered on Jan 18th, 2013 at 12:38 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alhambra, CA
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Francis John Cowhig
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A "no contest" plea is the same as a guilty plea in criminal court. The only difference is that a "no contest" plea cannot be used against you if you are sued civilly, whereas a guilty can.
Answered on Jan 17th, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Drug Charges Attorney serving Houston, TX
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Cynthia Henley
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It means you will be found guilty because you are not contesting the allegations. You do not want to do this on a theft case as it is a crime of moral turpitude. You need to hire a lawyer.
Answered on Jan 17th, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Thomas Edward Gates
When one pleads no contest, they are admitting that an individual viewing the available evidence would find him guilty.
Answered on Jan 16th, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Criminal Law Defense Attorney serving St. George, UT
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Edward D. Flint Attorney at Law
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It means that you don't admit guilt, but accept the same consequences of guilty plea by not contesting the charges. No real advantage in a retail theft case, since the store can still sue you and the crime goes on your permanent record.
Answered on Jan 16th, 2013 at 2:32 PM
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For most purposes, a no contest plea is the same as a guilty plea. It will show up on a criminal record. Legally speaking it means you are saying that if the prosecutor were to bring the case to trial, you would be found guilty, but you are not admitting you are guilty.
Answered on Jan 16th, 2013 at 2:31 PM
Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Attorney serving Deerfield Beach, FL
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The Ticktin Law Group
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A plea of no contest means that you neither admit or deny the charges. A plea of no contest usually carries with it a criminal sentence. You should consult with an attorney so that the details of your case may be more fully considered to determine if it is in your best interest to enter a plea of no contest or to enter a plea of not guilty.
Answered on Jan 16th, 2013 at 2:29 PM