They view this plea as a sign of remorse from the defendant. When it comes to sentencing, many judges look favorably upon those who enter a guilty plea. However, this is not the only reason that a plea of no contest might not be in your best interest. Of course, if you believe you can win your case, you will likely prefer to plead not guilty so that you can fight for an acquittal in court. Why Shouldn’t I Enter a Plea of No Contest? You can agree to certain facts that prove the case against you, and other details about the case will be sealed. By agreeing to enter a plea of no contest, you can control the narrative somewhat. If a defendant is not confident of an acquittal, or simply wants to avoid the time and stress of a courtroom trial, they may wish to enter a plea of no contest.Īnother common reason for entering a no contest plea is to keep the details of your case from becoming public record. The most common reason that people enter a no contest plea is to avoid a guilty plea or guilty conviction being used against them in a civil lawsuit.
#Acquittal vs not guilty trial
Sometimes, a trial can be too risky, and it’s better to plead guilty or no contest.Ī criminal defense lawyer can best advise you as to whether you should enter a not guilty plea.Ĭomplete a Free Case Evaluation form now Why Should I Enter a Plea of No Contest? Any other plea is a waiver of your right to a trial. Your only chance to defend yourself is when you enter a plea of not guilty. You may want to speak with a lawyer before entering a plea, so you can be sure you are using the right strategy. A conviction comes with consequences that can follow you around for years – possibly even for life. However, the case does not become as open-and-shut as they think it’s going to be. When a defendant pleads guilty or no contest, it means they simply want to be done with the whole ordeal. You merely agree not to fight the charges.Ĭlick to contact our Criminal Defense Lawyers today When to Enter A Not Guilty Plea Instead With a plea of no contest, on the other hand, you haven’t admitted to anything. An admission of guilt is a very difficult thing to try to overcome. If you enter a plea of guilty in your criminal trial, you are handing the plaintiff in any potential lawsuit a very powerful weapon to use in their case against you. If the incident that resulted in your DUI charge involved property damage or injuries, you could be faced with lawsuits from anyone who suffered damages. That comes in if you are facing a civil lawsuit in addition to the criminal charges. However, there is one area in which the difference between a no contest and a guilty plea is quite significant. You will still face the same difficulties that come along with a conviction, including having it show up when employers run a background check. After all, you will still be found guilty and have a conviction on your record just as you would if you plead guilty. It may be hard to see the benefits of entering a no contest plea on the surface. However, you will still be found guilty and sentenced if you enter a plea of no contest, just the same as if you plead guilty. You’re not saying you’re innocent, but you’re not saying you’re guilty either. It’s like shifting into neutral when driving. If, however, you plead no contest, all you’re doing is saying you won’t fight the charges against you. If you plead not guilty, this means that you are claiming to be innocent of the charges against you, and you will need to stand trial.
If you plead guilty to a criminal charge in the state of California, you are not going to fight the charges against you and agree to accept whatever sentence the judge orders. Our lawyers here at the Simmrin Law Group are familiar with the local courts and can advise you on which judges will allow you to enter a no contest plea in the state of California.įor a free legal consultation, call (310) 928-9347 Guilty vs. Even within California, there are some areas that prohibit this plea. When you enter a plea in a criminal case, you can enter one of three pleas: guilty, not guilty, or the lesser-known “no contest.” The state of California is a rarity in that most states don’t even allow you to plead “no contest” to a DUI charge. You may want to talk to a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles to determine whether your case calls for a no-contest plea. In fact, in the state of California, there are times when it is actually better to plead guilty than “no contest.” One such time is if you are being charged with a DUI. And if you are pleading “no contest,” then this means you do not contest the charges against you and are therefore guilty, right? If you’re pleading guilty, then you are accepting the consequences of the crime. At first, the pleas of “no contest” and “guilty” may sound like the same plea.
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