Plea Information

Your decision on what plea to enter is the most important decision you will have to make. Whether you feel that you are guilty or not, we suggest that you read the Plea Explanations before making your decision.

Plea Explanations

PLEA OF GUILTY
By a plea of guilty, you admit that you committed the act charged, that the act is prohibited by law, and that you have no defense for your act.

PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE (NO CONTEST)
A plea of “nolo contendere” means you do not contest the state’s charge against you. You will be found guilty upon a plea of “nolo contendere”, but it is not an admission by you that you are guilty. Also, a plea of “nolo contendere” or “no contest” cannot be used against you in a civil suit for damages as can a plea of guilty.

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY
A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the court that you deny guilt in this case, and that state must prove what it has charged against you. If you plead not guilty, you have the right to a trial by judge or jury. You will need to decide whether to hire an attorney to represent you at trial. You may defend yourself, but no one else except an attorney may represent you. Court appointed attorneys are not provided at the Municipal Court level.