Legally speaking, a no contest plea has the same effect as a guilty plea on a conviction when it comes to sentencing. The main distinction between "no contest" and "guilty" comes down to whether you accept responsibility for the offense or if you don't appeal a conviction.By pleading no contest, the court treats you the same as if you pled guilty, but no one can use your plea as evidence of guilt in future civil proceedings. If you enter a plea of no contest, you agree that you accept whatever punishment comes with the charge except that you do not admit you are technically guilty. A no contest plea is similar to a guilty plea. When you plead no contest, you technically admit that you are guilty of the crime being charged. On the other hand, pleading no contest means you are not admitting guilt but are not contesting the charges either. A no contest plea denies guilt but acknowledges that the State could prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. No contest pleas still result in a conviction. What is a plea of not guilty?