Another translation version is, "I do not want to contend." A plea entered in law by the defendant that subjects the person to a judgment of conviction; by so doing the defendant does not necessarily admit guilt, but also declares that he/she will not offer any defence. The defendant may then be declared guilty, yet retain the right to deny the validity of that finding in related proceedings.
When a defendant pleads nolo contendere, he/she neither admits guilt nor proclaims innocence and so avoids negative publicity that would occur in an actual trial.
Admitting to certain facts as specified by the prosecution or an answer of "no contest" by a defendant who does not admit guilt but which subjects him to conviction, as if a guilty plea had been entered, the determination of guilt remaining open in other legal proceedings.