Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
nolo contendere
Legal Term
/ˈnoʊloʊ kənˈtɛndəri/
Definition
A legal term that means ‘I do not wish to contend’ or ‘no contest.’
Examples
- The defendant entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charges, resulting in a conviction without an admission of guilt.
- By choosing nolo contendere, the accused hoped to avoid a civil lawsuit stemming from the same incident.
Meaning
In legal contexts, when a defendant pleads nolo contendere, they are neither admitting nor contesting a charge. This plea is often used in criminal cases.
Synonyms
- No contest
- Plea of no contest
