A defendant who pleads nolo contendere to a traffic charge may have the plea held against him in a civil suit.

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Multiple Choice

A defendant who pleads nolo contendere to a traffic charge may have the plea held against him in a civil suit.

Explanation:
Entering a nolo contendere plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment. In many jurisdictions, that plea is treated as an admission of the facts of the offense for purposes of civil liability arising from the same incident. So, in a civil suit based on the traffic incident, the plaintiff can use the plea to prove the defendant’s fault, and the defendant cannot relitigate those facts. This is why the plea may be held against him in a civil action, even though it isn’t an admission of guilt in the criminal case.

Entering a nolo contendere plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment. In many jurisdictions, that plea is treated as an admission of the facts of the offense for purposes of civil liability arising from the same incident. So, in a civil suit based on the traffic incident, the plaintiff can use the plea to prove the defendant’s fault, and the defendant cannot relitigate those facts. This is why the plea may be held against him in a civil action, even though it isn’t an admission of guilt in the criminal case.

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