Also known as no contest. It means "I do not wish to contend" in Latin. Instead of pleading guilty or not guilty, a criminal defendant can plead nolo contendere, which means the defendant neither disputes nor admits to the criminal charges.

A plea of nolo contendere cannot be used as evidence of the defendant's guilt in a civil trial related to the criminal trial.

Many employment agreements and severance plans provide that if an employee pleads nolo contendere to a felony or similar crime, the employer can terminate the employee for cause and is relieved of any severance obligations.

For more information, see Practice Note, Negotiating and Drafting an Executive Employment Agreement: Termination of Employment.