A no contest plea is more of a civil issue. If you were in an accident a guilty plea is an automatic admission of liability.A nocontest plea doesn't involve an admission of guilt. Instead, you're saying you won't contest the charges against you. A plea of no contest means that you do not contest the State's charge against you. The difference between a plea of guilty and no contest is that the no contest plea may not later be used against you in a civil suit for damages. Legally speaking, a no contest plea has the same effect as a guilty plea on a conviction when it comes to sentencing. A plea of no contest means that you do not contest the State's charge against you. Pleading "no contest" to a criminal charge means you do not admit fault. Neither are you trying to fight for your innocence in a criminal trial.