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

A plea bargain and a plea of nolo contendere are two different types of pleas in Texas White Collar Crimes Law. A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant promises to plead guilty or no contest to a criminal charge in exchange for the prosecutor offering certain concessions in a case. These agreements are usually made in order to avoid a lengthy and expensive trial. A plea of nolo contendere is a plea that means “no contest.” When a defendant makes this plea, it means they are not admitting guilt but they are also not disputing the charges against them. This plea may be used when a defendant wishes to avoid making an admission that could be used against them in a future civil case. The main difference between the two pleas is that a plea bargain requires an admission of guilt, while a plea of nolo contendere does not. Plea bargains have the benefit of avoiding a lengthy trial, but can also be seen as a sign that the defendant is admitting to the crime. Pleas of nolo contendere on the other hand can be beneficial in avoiding admissions of guilt which can later be used against the defendant in future civil cases.

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

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