Define, discuss, compare, and contrast the please of guilty, not guilty, and no contest (nolo contendere). Why would a person plead no contest rather than guilty?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The regular guilty plea is made in open court upon a showing that the defendant did in fact commit the criminal act or acts with which he or she is charged and upon a showing that the defendant voluntarily and intelligently is entering the guilty plea and waiving the right to a trial. In this guilty plea and all other guilty pleas, the defendant is subject to the statutory penalties of the state. However, it is a common practice in the United States to reward the defendant who enters a guilty plea with a lesser sentence under the sentencing guidelines and practices of the state. The Alford guilty plea permits a defendant to enter a guilty plea without admitting guilt. The no contest or nolo contendere plea allows the defendant not to contest the criminal charge or charges against her. Defendants who believe they will be sued in a civil court for their criminal conduct sometimes seek to use this plea. The conditional guilty plea is used when a defendant seeks to preserve the right to appeal a ruling of the trial judge.