Pleas

Guilty

A Plea of Guilty, you admit that you committed the act, and that the act is prohibited by law, and that you have no defense for your actions.

A Guilty Plea will be considered a conviction and recorded as such on your Criminal or Driving Record.  

If you were involved in a traffic accident at the time of the alleged offense, your plea of guilty could be used later in a civil suit for damages as an admission that you were at fault or were the party responsible for the accident.

Nolo Contendere – No Contest

A Plea of Nolo Contendere, also known as No Contest, simply means that you do not wish to contest the charge(s) against you.  A plea of Nolo Contendere cannot be used against you in the event of a subsequent civil suit for damages.  No Contest has the same legal effect as a Guilty Plea. 

Not Guilty

A Plea of Not Guilty means you deny guilt.  If you Plea Not Guilty your case will be set for the next available Pre-Trial Hearing. Following the Pre-Trial Hearing, you will need to determine whether you want a Bench Trial (a Trial by Judge) or a Jury Trial (six members of your peers).