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. A guilty plea and a no contest plea have the same effect, and are both considered a conviction.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 major difference of a no contest plea is that the judge must approve the plea. No Contest - This plea is not an admission of guilt, but it is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint. If you plead guilty or no contest, you may be sentenced immediately or you can ask the court to delay sentencing for at least two days. A person has the right to plea no contest as opposed pleading guilty. Pleading give one the chance of an appeal. If you plead "not guilty," motion hearings and eventually a trial will be scheduled. If you plead "guilty" or "no contest", a sentencing will be scheduled.