nolo contendere

[ noh-loh kuh n-ten-duh-ree ]
/ ˈnoʊ loʊ kənˈtɛn də ri /

noun Law.

(in a criminal case) a defendant's pleading that does not admit guilt but subjects him or her to punishment as though a guilty plea had been entered, the determination of guilt remaining open in other proceedings.
Also nolo.

Origin of nolo contendere

1870–75; < Latin: I am unwilling to contend

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH nolo contendere

acquitted innocent nolo contendere (see synonym study at innocent)

Words nearby nolo contendere

British Dictionary definitions for nolo contendere

nolo contendere
/ (ˈnəʊləʊ kɒnˈtɛndərɪ) /

noun

law, mainly US a plea made by a defendant to a criminal charge having the same effect in those proceedings as a plea of guilty but not precluding him from denying the charge in a subsequent action

Word Origin for nolo contendere

Latin: I do not wish to contend

Cultural definitions for nolo contendere

nolo contendere
[ (noh-loh kuhn-ten-duh-ree, kuhn-ten-duh-ray) ]

A plea that can be entered in a criminal or civil case, by which an accused person neither admits guilt nor proclaims innocence of a charge. Nolo contendere is Latin for “I do not wish to contend.”