What does a nolo contendere plea imply?

A nolo contendere plea, also known as a plea of no contest, implies that the defendant neither admits nor denies the charges brought against them. This means that while the defendant does not agree with the charges, they also do not contest them in court. It has the same legal effect as a guilty plea in terms of sentencing but avoids an admission of guilt that could be used against the defendant in civil litigation stemming from the same act.

This plea can often be a strategic decision by defendants, allowing them to accept the consequences without admitting liability. Therefore, the correct interpretation of a nolo contendere plea is that the charges are neither denied nor admitted.