What plea is used when the defendant does not wish to contest conviction?

• A. Not guilty
• B. Guilty
• C. Nolo contendere
• D. Alford plea

Answer: (C)

When a defendant does not wish to contest the charges, the no contest plea—nolo contendere—is used. This means the defendant does not admit guilt but agrees to accept the court’s punishment as if convicted. The plea results in a conviction for sentencing purposes, and it can help avoid automatic admissions of guilt in related civil matters. It’s different from a not guilty plea, which contests the charges and requires the state to prove guilt, from a guilty plea, which is an explicit admission of guilt, and from an Alford plea, where the defendant pleads guilty while maintaining innocence to secure a plea deal.