Pleas

Your Options

  • Guilty plea - A guilty plea means that you admit that you committed the act charged, that the act is prohibited by law, and that you have no defense for your actions. A guilty plea will be considered a conviction and recorded as such on your criminal or driving record. State surcharges may apply.
  • No contest (nolo contendere) plea - A no contest (nolo contendere) plea simply means that you do not wish to contest the state’s charge against you. It has the same effect as a guilty plea. A nolo contendere plea may be eligible for deferred disposition / probation or a driving safety course to keep an offense off your driving record. A plea of not guilty must be made in writing or in person and submitted to the court prior to the expiration of the 22-day period.
  • Not guilty plea - With a not guilty plea you are informing the court that you deny guilt and that the state must prove its charges against you. A plea of not guilty will be scheduled for the next available pretrial hearing. You will have to decide if you want a bench trail or jury trail and to make a decision to retain an attorney or to represent yourself at the trial.
Note: Only you or a licensed attorney may defend a case in court. The court does not appoint attorneys.