"Nolo contendere" is typically treated as which type of plea?

"Nolo contendere," often referred to simply as "no contest," is treated as a guilty plea for the purpose of sentencing, even though the defendant does not formally admit guilt. This type of plea means that the defendant does not contest the charge and accepts the consequences associated with it, allowing the court to impose a sentence without a confession of guilt.

In practice, this plea can be advantageous for a defendant because it prevents the statement from being used against them in a subsequent civil case. Although it does not carry the same admission of guilt as a traditional guilty plea, it signals to the court that the defendant is willing to accept a conviction and its associated penalties. Thus, it is appropriately categorized under the umbrella of guilty pleas in the legal context.

In contrast, options that pertain to a not guilty plea, appeals, or motions to dismiss do not align with the inherent implications of a nolo contendere plea, as they involve disputing the charges or seeking to have the case dismissed altogether, rather than allowing sentencing to proceed based on non-contestation.