What is the difference between a plea of guilty and a plea of nolo contendere?

A plea of guilty is an admission of guilt for a criminal offense, which is the most common plea entered in criminal cases. This plea is usually accompanied by a sentence or acceptance of a plea bargain. A plea of nolo contendere (no contest) is a plea that does not accept or deny guilt for a criminal offense. This plea is usually accompanied by a sentence or acceptance of a plea bargain. In California, when a defendant pleads guilty, they are confessing to the charges brought against them and admitting their guilt. The court then decides upon a sentence or accepts an agreement between the prosecutor and the defense attorney. On the other hand, when a defendant pleads nolo contendere, they are not admitting guilt, but they are willing to accept a predetermined sentence. The main difference between a plea of guilty and a plea of nolo contendere is that with a plea of guilty, the defendant is admitting their guilt, while with a plea of nolo contendere, the defendant is not admitting or denying it. A plea of nolo contendere is typically used when a defendant does not want to risk a trial or does not want to admit guilt. However, the court still finds them guilty and imposes the same sentence it would have imposed had a guilty plea been entered. Both pleas have the same legal effect in California, which is to result in a conviction for a crime. However, the plea of nolo contendere does not involve the defendant admitting guilt and does not have the same implications of guilt that the plea of guilty does.

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What is the difference between a plea of guilty and a plea of nolo contendere?

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