What happens if I plead “no contest” to a traffic ticket?

A plea of “no contest” - sometimes referred to as “nolo contendere”- is a response to a traffic ticket that can be entered in North Carolina. Entering this plea has the same effect as pleading guilty, in that you accept responsibility and are convicted by the court for the offense. The difference between the two pleas is that with a no contest plea, you are not actually admitting guilt, but are acknowledging that the court has enough evidence to presume your guilt. In North Carolina, a no contest plea can result in the same potential penalties that a guilty plea would. This can include a fine, court costs, license suspension or revocation, and even jail time. Additionally, your insurance rates may be affected. The advantage to a no contest plea is that the conviction will not be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit, which means the ticket and the accompanying conviction cannot be used against you in a personal injury suit. Additionally, the no contest plea can also help you avoid points on your driver’s license, which could save you money on auto insurance. In North Carolina, pleading no contest is generally not recommended, as it has the same impact on your case and insurance as a guilty plea does. However, this plea may be useful if you prefer to not admit guilt, or if the consequences of a guilty plea would be more severe. In either case, it is important to discuss your situation with a qualified traffic ticket attorney if you are considering entering a no contest plea.

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What happens if I plead “no contest” to a traffic ticket?

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