We're explaining the difference between a guilty plea and no contest in North Carolina to help you understand your options. A nocontest plea is exactly the same as a guilty plea, and will result in the same penalties and criminal record.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. A big advantage of a no-contest plea compared to a guilty plea is that a no-contest plea could not be offered into evidence in a civil case. A defendant may plead guilty or not guilty, or, with the consent of both the prosecutor and the judge, may plead "no contest." What does a no contest or nolo contendere plea mean? Is it an option to consider if you have pending criminal charges? It is essential to speak with a criminal defense attorney to fully grasp the implications of each option before choosing what plea to enter in a case. Our Raleigh criminal defense attorneys are sharing insights into plea deals for first time offenders. For all offenses of conviction charged under this file number.