Which term is another name for 'no contest' pleas?

• A. Nolo contendere
• B. Plea of bargain
• C. Guilty plea
• D. Not guilty plea

Answer: (A)

A no contest plea means the defendant resolves the criminal charges without admitting guilt or disputing the charges. The formal term for this in many courts is nolo contendere, a Latin phrase that translates to “I do not wish to contend.” This is why it’s the best answer: it directly names the same concept using the official legal term. A no contest plea can result in a sentence similar to a guilty plea, but it avoids an explicit admission of guilt in civil cases that might arise from the same facts. By contrast, a guilty plea is an explicit admission of guilt, a not guilty plea is a denial that leads to trial, and a plea bargain refers to negotiating a deal rather than a distinct type of plea.