A defendant who pleads nolo contendere will be found guilty by the court.

• A. False
• B. It depends on the judge
• C. True
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (C)

A nolo contendere plea means the defendant does not admit guilt, but the court treats the plea as if it were a guilty plea for purposes of the criminal case. Once the judge accepts the plea, a judgment of guilty is entered and sentencing follows, so the defendant is found guilty on the record. This is why the statement is correct: the criminal process results in a conviction when a nolo contendere plea is accepted by the court. (Note: the plea can’t be used as an admission in related civil proceedings, which is often why it’s chosen, but that doesn’t change the criminal conviction.)