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 available to defendants in a criminal case in Washington. A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor that typically involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for a lesser sentence. A plea of nolo contendere is when a defendant pleads “no contest” to an accusation. This essentially means that the defendant does not admit or deny guilt but agrees to accept the criminal punishment associated with the charge. The main difference between a plea bargain and a plea of nolo contendere is that with a plea bargain, a defendant is essentially admitting guilt, while with a plea of nolo contendere, the defendant is not admitting guilt. Also, with a plea bargain, the defendant may be offered a reduced sentence, while with a plea of nolo contendere the defendant is automatically facing the criminal punishment associated with the charge. It is important to understand the differences between a plea bargain and a plea of nolo contendere when it comes to a criminal case, as the consequences of each type of plea can be quite different. An experienced legal team can help individuals decide which type of plea is best for them in their situation.

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

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