Explanation of the Term "No Contest" in Oklahoma Law
Call 918 582 1313 for a free consultation.
A "no contest" plea allows a defendant to maintain their "innocence" and still enter a plea that will result in their conviction. The only difference between a "no contest" plea and a "guilty plea" is instead of admitting guilty the defendant says "no contest" and the state then offers a factual basis to support the plea. The defendant may be asked if they agree that there is a sufficient factual basis "that if believed by a jury" would be sufficient for that jury to find them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Generally speaking no contest pleas can not be introduced against a defendant in a civil case, but other than that there is little to no difference between a guilty plea and an no contest plea.
Often times prosecutors will no agree to no contest pleas because they want the defendant to admit what they have done. Entering a no contest plea without an agreement on punishment, known as a blind plea, is generally a bad idea, because the defendant is both leaving his punishment completely in the hands of the judge and refusing to admit that they had done anything wrong.