nolo
Law & Legal abbreviation · Latin Legal
| Stands for | Nolo contendere (I do not wish to contend) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
nolo stands for Nolo contendere (I do not wish to contend), a Latin legal abbreviation.
Criminal plea in which the defendant accepts conviction and punishment without admitting guilt, commonly called a "no contest" plea. It requires the court's consent in federal cases and in many states.
Example: My client will plead nolo to the reckless driving charge to avoid an admission in the civil suit.
Usage notes
Its main practical advantage is that, under Federal Rule of Evidence 410 and similar state rules, a nolo plea generally cannot be used against the defendant in later civil litigation over the same events. For sentencing and most other purposes it counts as a conviction. It differs from an Alford plea, a guilty plea entered while maintaining innocence (North Carolina v. Alford, 1970).
Related abbreviations
More Latin legal abbreviations
- i.a. – Inter alia (among other things)
- IFP – In forma pauperis (in the manner of a pauper)
- JNOV – Judgment non obstante veredicto (judgment notwithstanding the verdict)
- L.S. – Locus sigilli (place of the seal)
- nem. con. – Nemine contradicente (with no one dissenting)
- nol. pros. – Nolle prosequi (to be unwilling to prosecute)
- pro per – In propria persona (in one's own person)
- pro tem. – Pro tempore (for the time being)
- R. – Rex or Regina (the King or the Queen)
- res ipsa – Res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself)
- ss. – Scilicet (namely, to wit)
- sub nom. – Sub nomine (under the name)
See all 22 Latin legal abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.