A "no contest" plea is a legal term used in criminal cases. When a defendant enters a no contest plea, they do not admit guilt but also do not dispute the charges against them. This means they accept the consequences of the charges without formally admitting to committing the crime. In many jurisdictions, a no contest plea has the same legal effect as a guilty plea, resulting in a conviction. However, it cannot be used against the defendant in any related civil lawsuits, which can be beneficial in certain situations. This plea is often chosen to avoid the implications of a guilty admission.