A plea of "no contest" has a similar effect as a guilty plea in a criminal case in that the court then has the discretion to sentence the defendant. A guilty plea and a no contest plea have the same effect, and are both considered a conviction.Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer Darwin Overson explain how no contest pleas work in Utah and if it's better to plead guilty if charged with a crime. If you plead no contest, you admit nothing, and there is no legal determination as to your guilt, you merely accept the punishment. A no contest plea has the same effect as a guilty plea but it is different from just admitting guilt. _____APPEAL: If I plead guilty or no contest or am tried and convicted of the crime(s) with which I am charged, I have the right to appeal. A plea in abeyance is a plea agreement between the defendant and prosecuting attorney. If you plead guilty or no contest, these rights are waived, and your plea constitutes an admission of all the elements of the crime. Got pulled over for going 21 mph over in a 55mph zone. Just wondering what the best thing to do is.